April/May Florida Horse 2011 by Florida Equine Publications

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Whether it’s in the auction ring or on the racetrack, Florida-breds mean business In 2010, the Sunshine State produced 3 Breeders’ Cup and Eclipse champions in Awesome Feather, Big Drama and Dubai Majesty. Legendary Florida-bred Affirmed is still the last horse to have swept the Triple Crown Now more than ever, can you afford to not breed, own and race Florida-breds?

Don’t wait for success to come to you. Go with a winner. Breed and race Florida-breds.

Contact the FTBOA more information at (352) 629-2160; www.ftboa.com Or visit us on facebook at www/facebook.com/thefloridahorse

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com

FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

Adam Putnam, Commissioner 850-921-7916 • Fax 850-922-0374 e-mail: michael.ryshouwer@freshfromflorida.com 407 S. Calhoun • 427-A Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399

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APRIL/MAY 2011 •VOL 54/ISSUE PRESIDENT’S REPORT By Fred Brei

EDITOR’S WELCOME By Michael Compton 8

DELIGHTFUL OUTCOME

Florida-breds capture three of four stakes races at OBS Day of Champions

HORSE COUNCIL NEWS

NEWS BITS

PRACTICALLY SPEAKING

By Nick Fortuna

FLORIDA FOCUS

10 WINNING CALL

FLORIDA NEWS

18 and 70

Flatter colt sells for $925,000 at OBS March

THE BIG HORSE

John and Carole Rio are enjoying success of Florida-bred Kentucky Derby contender Mucho Macho Man, who they bred, raised and broke and trained on their Ocala-based RoseGrove Farm By Jo Ann Guidry

AWESOME ACCOLADES

Florida-bred champions were honored in Ocala in March during the FTBOA’s annual awards dinner By Jo Ann Guidry

It’s a Dirt Thing By Mark Shuffitt

Dialed In wins Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park By Michael Compton

OLYMPIC ATTRACTION

ENDURING LEGACIES: NEEDLES AND CARRY BACK 44

Florida has a long history of attracting the world’s finest hunters and show jumpers, and today’s Ocala market is growing increasingly popular with highperformance riders. By Alexandra Layos

Revisiting the great accomplishments of Florida’s first two Kentucky Derby winners By John Califano

YOUR FLORIDA HORSE PARK

Connection By Connie Duff Wise

CHASE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

FLORIDA’S LEADING SIRES

EDITOR’S NOTE By Summer Best

Soil Options By Jamie Cohen

ANHIDROSIS

RECORDS FALL AT FLORIDA CUP

When the heat rises, does your horse sweat? By Martha Mallicote, DVM

FARM MANAGEMENT

67 68

By Nick Fortuna

PLAYER’S PAGE

By Paul Moran

COVER PHOTO: JOE DIORIO

4 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

CONTENTS PHOTO: COGLIANESE

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801 SW 60th Avenue • Ocala, Florida 34474 (352) 732-8858 • Fax: (352) 867-1979 • www.ftboa.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Michael Compton BUSINESS MANAGER

Patrick Vinzant MANAGING EDITOR/ADVERTISING MANAGER

Summer Best ART DIRECTOR

John Filer CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

JoAnn Guidry WRITER

Nick Fortuna ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Beverly Kalberkamp CORRESPONDENTS

Jay Friedman, Doug McCoy, Cynthia McFarland, Mark Shuffitt PUBLISHER Florida Equine Publications, Inc. (A corporation owned by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association)

Executive Office - 801 SW 60th Avenue • Ocala, Florida 34474 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fred Brei, President/Board Chairman Brent Fernung, 1st Vice President Phil Matthews, 2nd Vice President Sheila DiMare, Secretary Bonnie M. Heath III, Treasurer EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Richard E. Hancock CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Caroline T. Davis

© THE FLORIDA HORSE (ISSN 0090-967X) is published monthly except July by THE FLORIDA HORSE, INC., 801 SW 60th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34474, including the annual Statistical Review in February. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Florida Equine Publications or the Florida Thoroughbred Breedersʼ and Ownersʼ Association. Publication of any material originating herein is expressly forbidden without first obtaining written permission from THE FLORIDA HORSE©.

Statistics in the publication relating to results of racing in North America are compiled from data generated by Daily Racing Form, Equibase, Bloodstock Research Information Services, and The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc., the copyright owners of said data. Reproduction is prohibited. A dvertisin g co py d ead lin e 5th o f mo n th p recedin g p ub licatio n. Su bscrip tio ns and ch ang e of add ress: Please m ail to – Circulation s D ep artment. T HE FL ORIDA H ORS E, 801 SW 60th Ave., O cala, Florida 34474.

Printed by Boyd Brothers, Inc.

BOYD

American Horse Publications • FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION • MEMBER BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

FTBOA OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fred Brei, President Brent Fernung, First Vice President Phil Matthews, Second Vice President Sheila DiMare, Secretary Bonnie M. Heath III, Treasurer

DIRECTORS Linda Appleton Potter Joe Barbazon Dean DeRenzo Donald Dizney Barry W. Eisaman

Roy Lerman J. Michael O’Farrell, Jr. Jessica Steinbrenner Francis Vanlangendonck Charlotte C. Weber

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Richard E. Hancock THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011 5

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president’s

Fred Brei, President/ Board Chairman SERITA HULT PHOTO

Program In Place e finally verbally agreed with FHBPA and Calder on a one-year agreement as it refers to stakes programs. FTBOA is supplementing the stakes programs at Calder by more than $1 million. Those programs not only include the 2-year-old racing program but start to bring the 3-year-old racing program back to the forefront and finishes with the Florida Million program in the fall. Most of the races that are being supplemented carry designations that are Florida Stallion Stakes or Florida Sire preferred.

2011 Program RUNS

SEX

AGE

DISTANCE

SURFACE PURSE

RACE

GRADE

CLOSES

05/14/11 Fillies 3 Yo's 05/14/11 Open 3 Yo's

6 fur. 6 fur.

Dirt Dirt

French Village In Summation

FSS FSS

04/30/11 04/30/11

$20,000 FTBOA $20,000 FTBOA

06/11/11 06/11/11 06/11/11 06/11/11

6 fur. 6 fur. 6 fur. 6 fur.

Dirt Dirt Dirt Dirt

$75,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000

Unbridled Ponche Hdcp. U Can Do It H. Leave Me Alone

05/28/11 05/28/11 05/28/11 05/28/11

$10,000 FTBOA $10,000 FTBOA $10,000 FTBOA $10,000 FTBOA

07/02/11 Fillies 2 Yo's 5 1/2 fur. 07/02/11 Open 2 Yo's 5 1/2 fur. 07/04/11 Open 3 & Up 5 fur.

Dirt Dirt Turf

$100,000 $100,000 $75,000

J J's Dream Frank Gomez Mem. Bob Umphrey (T) Sprint

FS Pref FS Pref

06/18/11 06/18/11 06/19/11

$45,000 FTBOA $45,000 FTBOA

07/30/11 07/30/11 8/6/11 8/6/11 08/20/11 08/20/11

Fillies Open Fillies Open Fillies Open

3 Yo's 3 Yo's 2 Yo's 2Yo's 3 Yo's 3 Yo's

1m 70 yds. 1m 70 yds. 6Fur 6Fur 7 1/2 fur. 7 1/2 fur.

Dirt Dirt Dirt Dirt Turf Turf

$75,000 $75,000 E. $75,000 E. $75,000 $75,000 $75,000

Three Ring El Kaiser Desert Vixen Dr. Fager Crystal Rail Naked Greed

FSS FSS FSS FSS FSS FSS

07/16/11 07/16/11 05/20/11 05/20/11 08/06/11 08/06/11

$20,000 FTBOA $20,000 FTBOA

08/27/11 08/27/11 08/27/11 08/27/11 08/27/11 08/27/11

Fillies Open Fillies Open Fillies Open

2 Yo's 2 Yo's 2 Yo's 2 Yo's 2 Yo's 2 Yo's

7 fur. 7 fur. 1 mile 1 mile 5 fur. 5 fur.

Dirt Dirt Dirt Dirt Turf Turf

FSS FSS FS Pref FS Pref

05/20/11 05/20/11 08/13/11 08/13/11 08/13/11 08/13/11

$20,000 FTBOA $20,000 FTBOA $20,000 FTBOA $20,000 FTBOA

09/17/11 09/17/11 09/17/11 09/17/11

Fillies Open Fillies Open

3 Yo's 3 Yo's 2 Yo's 2 Yo's

1 1/16 m. 1 1/16 m. 1m 70 yds. 1m 70 yds.

Turf Turf Dirt Dirt

$75,000 $75,000 $100,000 $100,000

Judy's Red Shoes S. Needles Stakes Brave Raj Stakes Foolish Pleasure Stakes

FSS FSS FSS Pref FSS Pref

09/03/11 09/03/11 09/03/11 09/03/11

$20,000 FTBOA $20,000 FTBOA $35,000 FTBOA $35,000 FTBOA

10/01/11 Fillies 2 Yo's 10/01/11 Open 2 Yo's

6 fur. 6 fur.

Dirt Dirt

$100,000 $100,000

Cassidy S. Birdonthewire S.

FS Pref FS Pref

09/17/11 09/17/11

$35,000 FTBOA $35,000 FTBOA

10/15/11 10/15/11 10/15/11 10/15/11

Open Fillies Fillies Open

3 Yo's 3 Yo's 2 Yo's 2 Yo's

1 1/8 m. 1 m. 1 1/16 m. 1 1/16 m.

Turf Turf Dirt Dirt

$75,000 $75,000 E. $350,000 E. $350,000

$10,000 FTBOA $10,000 FTBOA

FSS FSS

10/01/11 10/01/11 05/20/11 05/20/11

11/12/11 11/12/11 11/12/11 11/12/11 11/12/11 11/12/11 11/12/11 11/12/11

Fillies Open Fillies Open Open Open F&M Open

2 Yo's 2 Yo's 2 Yo's 2 Yo's 3 & Up 3 & Up 3 & Up 3 & Up

1 1/16 m. 1 1/16 m. 7 fur. 7 fur. 6 fur. 1 1/8 m. 1 1/16 m. 1 1/8 m.

Turf Turf Dirt Dirt Dirt Turf Dirt Dirt

$100,000 $100,000 $125,000 $125,000 $125,000 $125,000 $150,000 $150,000

State State State State State State State State

10/29/11 10/29/11 10/29/11 10/29/11 10/29/11 10/29/11 10/29/11 10/29/11

$50,000 FTBOA $50,000 FTBOA $50,000 FTBOA $50,000 FTBOA $50,000 FTBOA $50,000 FTBOA $50,000 FTBOA $50,000 FTBOA

$75,000 $75,000

Preview Summit of Speed Open Open F&M Fillies

3 Yo's 3 & Up 3 & Up 3 yo's

$20,000 FTBOA $20,000 FTBOA

Juvenile Showcase E. $125,000 E. $125,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000

Susan's Girl Affirmed Lindsay Frolic Seacliff Catcharisingstar Fasig Tipton (T) Dash

Preview Festival of the Sun

Festival of the Sun Tropical Derby Francis A. Genter My Dear Girl In Reality

Florida Million

6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

John Franks Juvenile Fillies Turf Arthur I. Appleton Juvenile Turf Joe O Farrell Juvenile Fillies Jack Price Juvenile Jack Dudley Sprint H. Bonnie Heath Turf Cup Elmer Heubeck Distaff H. Carl G. Rose Classic

This program is for 2011, and we have agreed to meet in July to try to secure a long-term agreement that will reach out until 2014. With that agreement, we are trying to accomplish a 2-year-old stakes series for Florida-sired, Florida-breds. I believe we will get a long-term agreement that will be good for all of us and enable us to plan on what we believe the market impact will be on 2-yearold and 3-year-old programs. It is important to share with you that in 2010 we identified a question of long-term viability of the Florida Stallion Stakes as well as the fact that our 3-year-old stakes races weren’t even equivalent in purse value to overnight stakes at some northern tracks. At that time, I went before the board of directors and told them that with the current state of the economy and the funding levels, we could not sustain our 2-year-old program without new money, let alone add a 3-year-old program. The board agreed to these racing programs that are badly needed for our Florida-breds, and the board also decided to abate, or set aside, stallion awards in 2011 so that those monies could be used, in addition to stakes funds, so the program could go forward and grow. The split going into 2011 is $587,000 of stakes money to Calder purses. The additional $443,000 that is being put into Florida-bred stakes purses is because the stallion owners allowed their awards to go toward racing rather than their own pockets. I know we have been chastised by some members about our method of a preferred selection of board members, but anyone who gets any portion of the $443,000 this year had better believe our method is important, and it works. On that board of directors in 2010 were directors who control more than 50 percent of the stallions in our Stallion Register. As the board of directors, we try diligently to keep a mix of small breeders, large breeders, stallion owners, members who breed for the market and breed to race. Our goal is to have a well-rounded blend of board members with interests in all facets of our business. Believe me, it worked on this issue. ■

Fred Brei

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By MICHAEL COMPTON $19.7 million compared to last year’s Saturogi Berra once said, “The future day Derby handle of $21.1 million. Last ain’t what it used to be.” I’m pretty year’s Sunday handle was $5 million comsure he wasn’t referring to the future pared with this year’s Oaks handle on Saturday of $13.9 million. of horse racing, but he could have been. “We’re very pleased Derby Weekend In this day and age of slot machines and card rooms at racetracks, the proliferation of proved to be such a huge success,” said Gulfwagering over the Internet and with fewer fans stream President and General Manager Steve actually attending live races, the complexion Calabro. “We were a little apprehensive movof today’s horse racing landscape is far differ- ing the Derby to Sunday, but the response was overwhelming to our OBS ent than it was even a few short years ago. With the plethora of entertainment options weekend of activities, including available today, it was encouraging to see such the inaugural Florida Derby enthusiastic crowds in the Sunshine State re- Golf Tournament, Ladies Day, cently for the Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay and, of course, the Florida Downs in Oldsmar, the OBS Day of Champi- Derby. We’re also extremely ons in Ocala and the Florida Derby at Gulf- grateful to all our horsemen and patrons for the money we stream Park in Hallandale Beach. In the never-ending battle to pull eyeballs raised throughout the weekend away from computer and television screens for so many wonderful causes.” Without reading a Gulfstream press reand out to the races instead, Gulfstream Park succeeded in a big way on Florida Derby day lease with details of attendance and handle April 3. In a departure from tradition, Gulf- numbers, I could have told you there was a stream carded the Florida Derby on a Sun- record crowd on hand for the Florida Derby. day and ran the renamed Gulfstream Park With very little room to maneuver through the Oaks (G2), formerly the Bonnie Miss Stakes, re-tooled grandstand as it is, the overflowing crowd meant many elbows to the ribs, proon Saturday, April 2. The move worked. Gulfstream attracted a grams shoved into my back and even an eldrecord crowd on Florida Derby Sunday as erly woman’s walker, yes a walker, planted on 14,521 showed up on a sun-drenched South my right foot while en route to the paddock Florida afternoon. Granted, that Gulfstream Park gate is a far cry from the glory days, but it was the largest crowd at Gulfstream for any day since the new grandstand was constructed in 2006. The track’s combined pari-mutuel handle the weekend of April 2-3 was $33.6 million, eclipsing the previous weekend record by 29 percent set last year in the new building. The total Derby handle was

8 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

prior to the Florida Derby, suggested a big event was taking place and people across all demographics—young and old—wanted to be a part of it all. “Derby Weekend was an incredible experience for all of us,” said Tim Ritvo, Gulfstream’s vice president of racing. “Many of our customers came out and enjoyed the day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. We’re very appreciative for their response, and we’re thankful to the horsemen for putting on two memorable days of racing.” Creating a weekend-long event that racing fans had strong interest in and featured leading runners on the racetrack delivered an experience that just can’t be duplicated watching from a computer screen. As an industry, we must find more avenues like this at key racing destinations to expand the view that potential new fans have of a day at the races if we are ever going to achieve meaningful growth. During the OBS Day of Champions in Ocala, a non-pari-mutuel wagering event, fans turned out in droves to watch four stakes races March 14. It was a spirited day of competition in front of many Ocala/Marion County locals as well as a large number of visitors in town that week for the OBS March sale and the FTBOA Annual Awards dinner. Future success in the thoroughbred industry is going to look entirely different than it did in recent decades. With any luck, the on-track experiences I enjoyed at OBS and Gulfstream Park are a part of that picture, minus, of course, that woman’s walker on my foot. ■ LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

Michael Compton/JOE DIORIO PHOTO

AGame for AllAges, Seasons

COGLIANESE PHOTO

editor’s

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Written by Nick Fortuna

Florida-bred Watch Me Go

Watch Me Go had finished a creditable third behind the undefeated Brethren in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs in February, but racing fans thought there was essentially no chance that the Florida-bred colt could turn the tables on that rival in March 12, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2). Watch Me Go was dismissed at 44-1 in the Tampa Bay Derby, the third-longest odds in the field of nine 3-year-olds, but he ran as though he expected to win. Watch Me Go prevailed by a neck after a stretch duel with 86-1 long shot Crimson Knight, with 1-2 favorite Brethren settling for third, 3¼ lengths farther back, and suffering his first loss. As the Tampa Bay Derby evolved into a two-horse race down the stretch, winning trainer Kathleen O’Connell was confident that Watch Me Go would fight to the wire. “I was sure he’d dig in,” she said. “He’s exhibited a great amount of heart, and he really tried hard. His last race was his first time going two turns, and it was a graded race. He’s just

10 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

COOLEY PHOTO

Watch Me Go Wins Tampa Bay

fulfilled a lot for the owner and myself. I loved my horse, and I felt that we had the homecourt advantage.You’re stabled here, you walk

right out of the barn into the race, which is good. Instead of just trying to find an easy spot, which there really aren’t in this type of competition, I just thought it would be best to walk right out of our stable and over here.” Watch Me Go is a son of Stonehedge Farm South stallion West Acre and a homebred for Gilbert Campbell, the owner of the Williston-based farm. The Tampa Bay Derby marked his first stakes victory and was his fourth win from nine career starts. Watch Me Go, out of the Deputy Minister mare Sabbath Song, has earned $311,345. After the race, Larry King, the manager of Stonehedge Farm South, said Watch Me Go will be pointed toward the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 7. He’ll likely get one more prep race in the $1 million

Tackleberry Wires Gulfstream Florida-bred Tackleberry solidified his status as a star of the Gulfstream Park meet March 12, wiring the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) by a neck for his third stakes victory of the meet. Tackleberry, a son of Ocala Stud Farm stallion Montbrook, has won seven of his last eight starts, all in front-running fashion, for trainer and owner Luis Olivares.The 4-year-old gelding was bred by Ocala Stud Farm and is out of the Concerto mare Box of Joy. For his career, he’s won eight of his 12 starts and $757,225. Tackleberry once again got little respect from racing fans, who sent him off as the 92 fourth choice in a field of eight 4-year-olds and up. With regular rider Javier Santiago aboard, he flashed his usual speed from the starting gate, carving out fractions of 24.59

seconds for a quarter-mile and 47.68 for a half-mile while building a one-length lead. Soaring Empire and Tizway moved up to engage the leader on the turn of the one-mile race, but Tackleberry once again had saved fuel for the stretch drive. With his rivals chasing him on the outside, he dug in gamely and stopped the clock in 1:35.23 on a fast track. “The trainer told me to go to the lead, no matter what,” Santiago said. “He said, ‘If you need to use him in the beginning, use him. I want to see him in the front.’ He’s very special. My horse, when he goes in front, he likes to fight. My horse saw the horse on the outside, and that was it. He continued to run.” Tackleberry is 3-for-4 at Gulfstream, having won the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic on Jan. 29 and the Gulfstream Park

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Little Mike on a Roll at Gulfstream

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park or the $750,000 Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, both on April 16. “We definitely have the Kentucky Derby as a goal,” King said. Crimson Knight, a son of Stonewall Farm Ocala stallion Leroidesanimaux (BRZ), was making his stakes debut for trainer Gerald Bennett. He’s won three of his six starts for $91,206. Brethren, trained by Todd Pletcher, had won all three of his prior starts and has earned $222,368. Gilbert and Marilyn Campbell

Handicap Sprint Championship (G2) on Feb. 12. Olivares said he might start Tackleberry in the $1 million Charles Town Classic on April 16.

COGLIANESE PHOTO

Florida-bred Tackleberry winning the Gulfstream Park Handicap.

that was a Grade 1. He’s been just super. It’s pretty special for him to win three graded stakes at the meet. We debated running him in this race or the (Grade 1, $ 300,000 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland on April 15), but decided to stay here. We think he deserves another chance at a mile and an eighth in the Woodford Reserve, and the timing is better from this race to that one.” With usual rider Joe Bravo aboard, Little Mike was the quickest away from the gate after breaking from the inside post position. He built a one-length lead after leading the field of eight 4-year-olds and up through a quarter-mile in 23.25 seconds and a halfmile in 46.07. Little Mike led by a 1 ½ lengths at the top of the lane and was fully extended to hold off Riviera Cocktail and stop the clock for one mile on a firm course in 1:32.87. “Little Mike just makes anyone who sits on his back look good,” Bravo said. “I don’t think they let him go in the first quarter-mile. He’s just so fast out of the gate that it discourFlorida-bred Little Mike wiring the Appleton Stakes (G3). ages any of the other Little Mike’s only loss on the Gulf- horses from going with him. He’s the man.” Little Mike is out of the Wavering stream grass course came in the 11⁄8-mile Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) on Monarch mare Hay Jude, who also proFeb. 5, when he set the pace before fading duced Florida-bred Little Nick. That 6to sixth place, 2½ lengths behind victori- year-old, gelded son of Tiger Ridge won ous Florida-bred Teaks North. Trainer the $70,000 Basket Weave Stakes on BelDale Romans said he’ll probably give Lit- mont Park’s turf course in October and the tle Mike another crack at the 1⁄8-mile dis- $105,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint Handtance in the $500,000 Woodford Reserve icap at Calder in July 2009. Little Mike has won six of his 13 caClassic (G1) on Kentucky Derby Day, May 7, reer starts and earned $365,970. He made at Churchill Downs. “I’ve never seen him get tired,” Romans his first two starts for trainer Bill White, said. “Even though he didn’t win the 11⁄8- followed by eight starts for Allen Iwinski mile race, he only got beat two lengths, and and the last three for Romans.

COGLIANESE PHOTO

Derby

At 1 1/16 miles or less, Little Mike is awfully hard to catch. On April 3, for the third time at the Gulfstream Park meet, the Florida-bred gelding wired a Grade 3 turf race, taking the $100,000 Appleton Stakes by a length. Little Mike, bred by Parkland’s Carlo E. Vaccarezza and owned by his wife, Priscilla, improved to 7-for-9 on grass and 3-for-4 on the Gulfstream lawn. The 4year-old son of Spanish Steps had wired the 1 1/16-mile Fort Lauderdale Stakes by a nose over Blues Street in January and the one-mile Canadian Turf by 1 ½ lengths last out Feb. 27.

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Turbulent Descent Captures Santa Anita Oaks

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

The rivalry between Florida-bred Turbulent Descent and Zazu is quickly developing into one of the best in horseracing, and last month at Santa Anita Park, the 3-year-old fillies treated fans to a thrilling edition of the $250,000 Santa Anita Oaks. In the end, Turbulent Descent avenged the first loss of her career by holding off Zazu to win by a neck and earn the second Grade 1 victory of her young career. Turbulent Descent, a daughter of Congrats bred by Ocala Stud Farm, had defeated Zazu in the $100,000 Moccasin Stakes at Hollywood Park in November and the Hollywood Starlet (G1) the following month, with Zazu finishing second and fifth in those races. But Zazu then handed Turbulent DeShe was a little fitter, scent her only setback, winning the Las Virgenes Florida-bred look at how she cruised Turbulent Descent Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita on Feb. 5, with Turbuup into the turn like a last in the field of five, as Florida-bred May Day lent Descent 1 ¼ lengths back in second place. beast. —Mike Puype Rose carved out fractions of 23.31 seconds for a In the Oaks, Turbulent Descent and Zazu ran as if they knew they’d have to save some energy for the desperate quarter-mile and 46.67 for a half-mile. Jockey David Flores asked Turbulent Descent to pick it up while final yards. Turbulent Descent ran in fourth place early, with Zazu going around the final turn of the 1 1/16-mile test, and the filly advanced three wide to claim a two-length lead at the top of the stretch. Zazu and jockey Joel Rosario also were advancing three-wide and got to the top of the lane in second place. Down the stretch, Turbulent Descent drifted in despite left-handed urging from Flores and had just enough left to deny Zazu, finishing in 1:41.05 on fast track. “Last time, I didn’t want to put too much pressure on my filly because she was coming off a layoff and because we had so much rain, she had missed a work,” Flores said in explaining Turbulent Descent’s loss in the Las Virgenes. “I was very confident she was going to run big. I took a peek back at the three-eighths pole, and I saw the gray shadow (Zazu), so I knew where she was. At the quarter pole, I let her go, and she gave me everything.” Turbulent Descent, a $160,000 purchase at OBS last April, won for the fourth time in five starts and boosted her earnings to $528,350. The filly, out of the Forestry mare Roger’s Sue, is owned by a partnership that includes Blinkers On Racing Stable. “She was a little fitter,” winning trainer Mike Puype said. “Look at how she cruised up into the turn like a beast.” Puype said Turbulent Descent won’t start in the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 6 but will be pointed toward the Acorn Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on June 11 and the Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Aug. 6. “She definitely has the Acorn and Test as two of her highest priorities this year,” said Puype. “Those are career-making races both for winning an Eclipse award and for a broodmare.”

“

”

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Smart Strike—Colonella, by Pleasant Colony

Looking To The Future By the promising sire of sires Smart Strike, sire of two-time Horse of the Year CURLIN ($10,501,800), as well as additional Eclipse Award champions ENGLISH CHANNEL ($5,319,028), LOOKIN AT LUCKY ($3,307,278) and Canadian Horse of the Year SOARING FREE ($2,110,371) A graded stakes winner of more than $450,000 Winner of the Arlington Classic (G3) at Arlington Park and Daniel Van Clief Stakes at Colonial Downs Placed in 9 stakes races, including the Red Bank Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park, the Cliff Hanger Stakes (G3) at The Meadowlands, River City Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs and Miami Mile (G3) a Calder

Stud Fee: Private Free for approved mares

Mighty White Stallion, LLC Breeding • Training • Racing Thoroughbreds Alfredo A. Ronso-Manager Email: afredoronso@hotmail.com • 352-445-3256

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R Heat Lightning Dominates Gulfstream Oaks February. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the filly Florida-bred Awesome Feather, who had dewon the Spinaway Stakes (G1) by four lengths feated her at the Breeders’ Cup. “She’s starting to relax more in her races,” at Saratoga last September and went on to finPletcher said. “She’s not an ish second in both the easy filly to ride, but Frizette Stakes (G1) at (jockey John Velazquez) Belmont Park and the has gotten to know her and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile what to do. I didn’t think Fillies (G1) at Churchill she got quite the respect Downs to conclude her she deserved after winning 2-year-old season. the Spinaway and finishing For her career, R Heat second in the Breeders’ Lightning has four wins Florida-bred R Heat Lightning Cup last year, but now I and three runner-up finishes in eight career starts and $952,800. She think she’ll be recognized at the head of the was a finalist for an Eclipse Award as the top class. If she comes out of the race all right, then juvenile filly of 2010 but lost in the voting to we’ll point her for the Oaks.” With Velazquez aboard for the fifth straight time, R Heat Lightning stalked the pace on the outside through a quarter-mile in was really good-looking and a beautiful mover, a 23.06 seconds and a half-mile in 46.32 set by classy-acting horse.” Triune. She rallied three-wide while in hand Pomeroy, who stands for a $5,000 stud fee going around the final turn and assumed at Vinery in Summerfield, ranks second in North command, gaining a 2 ½-length lead at the America among second-crop stallions with top of the stretch and drawing away easily. R $608,285 in progeny earnings this year. Only Heat Lightning finished the 1 1/8-mile race War Front, who stands for $15,000 in Kentucky, in 1:49.27 under a hand ride. had more progeny earnings among secondcrop sires, with $949,749 through March 22. “You’re always a little concerned when Pomeroy has produced several star Floridathey have to go wide in the first turn like that, breds, led by Positive Response, who won the but she was in the clear, which in the impor$100,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at tant thing,” Pletcher said. “I wasn’t surprised Turfway Park on March 5 following scores at that she ran that kind of race after the way she Golden Gate Fields in the $75,000 Gold Rush ran the last time.” Stakes in December and the $100,000 CaliforThe Gulfstream Oaks was the longest race nia Derby in January. of R Heat Lightning’s career and covers the Pomeroy also produced Florida-breds Flashpoint, the winner of the Hutcheson Stakes (G2) same distance as the Kentucky Oaks. She sigat Gulfstream Park last month, and Pomeroys naled that she was sitting on a big race by Pistol, who won the Forward Gal Stakes (G2) at turning in a bullet workout at Palm Meadows the Hallandale Beach oval in January. on March 27, breezing a half-mile in 47 3/5 As a racehorse, Pomeroy, a son of Boundseconds. ary, won seven of his 18 starts and earned “She relaxed really well again,” Ve$845,050.He had four stakes victories – the 2004 lazquez said. “The race set up perfectly. King’s Bishop Stakes (G1), the 2005 Alfred G.Vanderbilt Handicap (G2) and the 2006 Forego HandThey were going fast enough so we could icap (G1), all at Saratoga, as well as the 2004 track the pace and have something to run at. Jersey Shore Breeders’ Cup Stakes (G3) at MonShe was so relaxed and had plenty to finish. mouth Park. She made my day.”

Pomeroy Colt Sells for $625,000 at Barretts A Florida-bred colt by Vinery stallion Pomeroy was the star of the Barretts Equine Limited March sale of selected 2-year-olds in training in Pomona, Calif., on March 21. The juvenile, bred by Jacksonville’s David Robbins and consigned by Ocala’s Eddie Woods as agent, drew a final bid of $625,000 from Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stables to lead the one-day sale. The sale topper, hip No. 37, is out of the Caller I. D. mare Leah’s Angel, who was unplaced in her only start but has produced five winners from seven foals of racing age. Among those runners is Florida-bred Expect an Angel, who earned $236,799 and won the Chaposa Springs Handicap (G3) at Calder in 2004. The Pomeroy colt breezed a furlong in 10 1⁄5 seconds at the sale’s under-tack show. “He’s a beautiful, magnificent-looking horse who trained very well and fit everyone’s eye very nicely,” Woods said. “He just had everything. He

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

Hip No. 37

14 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

COGLIANESE PHOTO

R Heat Lightning’s trainer and rider give her credit for learning to relax early in her races, but with the way the Florida-bred filly has been winning those races, she’s giving her connections quite a thrill. R Heat Lightning, a daughter of Trippi and a homebred for E. Paul Robsham Stables, powered her way to an 8 ¼-length score in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) on April 2, making her one of the top contenders for the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 6. The Gulfstream Oaks marked the second consecutive Grade 2 win at the Hallandale Beach oval for R Heat Lightning, who also won the Davona Dale Stakes by 7 ¼ lengths in

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Florida Stallions Had Strong Winter

Pomeroy

in progeny earnings to rank second among second-crop sires to War Front, who stands for $15,000 in Kentucky and whose runners have banked $1.05 million. Pomeroy has produced several star Floridabreds, including Positive Response, who won the $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park on March 5 following scores at Golden Gate Fields in the $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes and the $100,000 California Derby. Pomeroy also produced Florida-breds Flashpoint, the winner of the Hutcheson Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park, and Pomeroys Pistol, who won the Forward Gal Stakes (G2) at the Hallandale Beach oval in January.

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SERITA HULT PHOTO

With Distinction

$7,500 at Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds in Ocala, is the sire of Florida-bred Triple Crown hopeful Decisive Moment, the runnerup in both the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes (G3) at Turfway Park and the Delta Jackpot (G3) at Delta Downs in November. With Distinction’s runners have earned $584,638 this year. Leroidesanimaux stands for $10,000 at Stonewall Farm Ocala this year after previously standing in Kentucky. His progeny have earned $790,031 this year, led by Triple Crown hopeful Animal Kingdom, the winner of the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes. Leroidesanimaux also is the sire of Always a Princess, who scored Grade 2 victories at Santa Anita this year in the El Encino and La Canada Stakes. Stonewall Farm Ocala also stands the 12thranked third-crop sire, Value Plus, who stands for $5,000. Value Plus sired Florida-bred All Due Respect, the winner of the $60,000 Ocala Leroidesanimaux

Stakes at Gulfstream Park. His progeny have earned $420,123 this year. Wildcat Heir, who stands for $10,000 at Journeyman Stud in Ocala, has $764,928 in progeny earnings this year. He’s the sire of Florida-bred WildAbout Marie, who won a pair of $59,400 stakes at Fair Grounds this year, the Dr. A.B. Leggio Memorial and the Bienville. Last year, Wildcat Heir was North America’s leading second-crop sire with $4.58 million in progeny earnings. His stakes winners in 2010 included Florida-bred Derwin’s Star,

Wildcat Heir

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

With Distinction, who stands for

who captured the $400,000 Charles Town Oaks. In 2009, Wildcat Heir set a Northern Hemisphere record with 39 2-year-old winners and ranked fourth in North America among freshman sires with $1.17 million in progeny earnings. Journeyman Stud also stands Consolidator, whose progeny have earned $464,273 this year, for $4,000. Consolidator is the sire of Bank Merger, who won the $250,000 Gallant Bob Handicap as a 3-year-old at Philadelphia Park in October. Florida’s leading sire with $967,024 in progeny earnings this year is Ocala Stud Farm’s Montbrook, who stands for $7,500. Montbrook sired Florida-bred Big Drama, who won an Eclipse Award as last year’s champion sprinter, as well as Florida-bred Tackleberry, who won the Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2), the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic and the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship (G2) this year. Montbrook ranks 34th among North American sires this year.

Montbrook

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

For Florida stallions, the first quarter of 2011 was anything but a winter of discontent. Local sires Pomeroy and With Distinction ranked second and fourth among North American second-crop sires, according to statistics compiled through March 29, while the top thirdcrop sires included Leroidesanimaux at No. 3, Wildcat Heir at No. 4 and Consolidator at No. 9. Pomeroy, who stands for a $5,000 stud fee at Vinery in Summerfield, had $634,180

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FLORIDA NEWS Written by Nick Fortuna

OBS March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in training

Flatter Colt Sells for $925,000 at OBS March

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTOS

A colt by Flatter brought a final bid of $925,000 to top the OBS March sale of selected 2-year-olds in training in Ocala March 15-16. Sold during the sale’s second day as hip No. 265, the sale topper breezed a quartermile in 20 3/5 seconds at OBS’s under-tack show, the fastest workout at that distance.The Flatter colt was consigned by Eisaman Equine as agent and purchased by trainer Bob Baffert as agent.The juvenile is out of the unraced Quiet American mare Silence Please, who produced the stakeswinning colt Sky Music. “The Flatter colt is a very leggy colt and very laidback,” Barry Eisaman said. “To look at him and be around him, you would think that he would love to go two turns, and it’s really scary that he has so much speed when you ask him for it.” For the entire sale, 244 horses sold for a total of $25,563,000 compared with 167 horses grossing $17,766,000 in 2010. The average price was $104,786 compared with $106,383 a year ago while the median price was $70,000 compared with $75,000 in 2010. The buyback percentage was 23.9%; it was 29.5% last year. This year’s sale marked the first time that the February and March sales were consolidated into one. Also on the second day of the two-day sale, a Bernardini filly went for $500,000, a Medaglia d’Oro filly drew a final bid of $450,000, a Smart Strike colt sold for $400,000, a War Front colt sold for $375,000, a Silver Train colt went for $350,000, a Lawyer Ron colt sold for $320,000, a Tapit filly sold for $310,000, and an Indian Charlie filly went for $300,000. The Bernardini filly, hip No. 320, was purchased by Lane’s End Bloodstock and consigned by Niall Brennan Stables as agent. 18 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

Hip No. 265, a Flatter colt consigned by Eisaman Equine, (left) topped the OBS March sale at $925,000.

She breezed one furlong in 10 2/5 seconds at the under tack preview. Named Sweet Dreams, the filly is out of the unraced Unbridled mare Turbo Dream, who produced Grade 1 winner Dream Rush, an earner of $779,364. The Medaglia d’Oro filly, hip No. 329, covered a furlong in 10 1/5 seconds. She was purchased by trainer Mark Casse as agent and consigned by Eddie Woods as agent. She’s out of the Mr. Prospector mare User History, who earned $418,501 while racing in Japan and has since produced three winners. The Smart Strike colt, hip No. 371, covered one furlong in 10 3/5 seconds. He was purchased by Jack Sims and consigned by Excel Bloodstock. The colt is the second foal from the graded-stakes-placed Holy Bull mare Aspen Tree. The Silver Train colt, hip No. 364, was consigned by Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds as agent and purchased by Fox Hill Farm andTom McGreevey as agent. He covered a quarter-mile in 21 seconds. The colt is

out of the FavoriteTrick mareAnd, a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Mona de Momma. The War Front colt, hip No. 317, ran a quarter-mile in 21 1/5 seconds. He was purchased by Steven W.Young as agent and consigned by Parrish Farms as agent. The colt is out of theYes It’s True mare True Gritz. The Lawyer Ron colt, hip No. 294, was consigned by Danzel Brendemuehl’s Classic Bloodstock and bought by Casse as agent. He covered one furlong in 10 seconds. The juvenile is out of the stakes-placed Cat Thief mare Steal the Show, who produced one winner from her first two foals. The Tapit filly, hip No. 379, breezed a furlong in 10 1/5 seconds. She was consigned by Excel Bloodstock and purchased by Ciaran Dunne as agent for Donver Stalbes. The filly is the second foal from the winning Forestry mare Barsanti. The Indian Charlie filly, hip No. 306, was purchased by the Frank Fletcher Racing Operation and consigned by HartSee OBS page 20

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Pedigree, Performance, Conformation

REY DE CAFÉ King mambo—Commodities, by Pr ivate Account

Impeccably bred, Rey de Café is by sire of champions Kingmambo, out of a stellar female family that includes perennial leading sire Seeking the Gold. Rey de Café won sprinting and routing on both dirt and turf, suggesting his offspring will relish today’s synthetic surfaces. iamond’s Double D tude wins ti p Racing A Juvenile Turf Appleton da Million! at Flori

NOMINATED TO Florida Stallion Stakes 899 S.W. 85th Ave., Ocala, FL 34481 (352) 237-3834 Fax: (352) 237-6069 www.doublediamondfarm.com Also standing: AMERICAN SPIRIT WEKIVA SPRINGS 20 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

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FLORIDA NEWS

OBS from age 18 ley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds as agent. She breezed a furlong in 10 seconds. The filly is out of the stakes-placed Blare of Trumpets mare Symphonic Lady, who produced the graded-stakes-placed Bear’s Conductor. A colt by Scat Daddy drew a final bid of $400,000 to top the opening session of the sale, a day on which 31 juveniles sold for $100,000 or more. During that session, 117 horses sold for a total of $10.3 million and an average of $88,222. At the opening session of last year’s March sale, 84 head sold for $8.13 million, an average of $96,738. The Scat Daddy colt, hip No. 137, breezed one furlong in 9 4/5 seconds at OBS during the under-tack show, the fastest work at the distance that day. He was consigned by Albert Davis of Old South Farm and purchased by K.K. Eishindo. The juvenile was a homebred for Machmer HallThoroughbreds in Kentucky and had never passed through a sales ring. The Scat Daddy colt is out of the Tale of the Cat mare Madagascat, who was unplaced in two starts and has produced one other registered foal. The colt’s second dam is the Pleasant Colony mare Colony Bay, who produced six winners, including Grade 3 winner Lindsay Jean. Also during the first session, a Street Sense colt went for $380,000, a Florida-bred Congrats colt sold for $350,000, a Mizzen Mast colt sold for $350,000, an Empire Maker colt drew a final bid of $330,000, and an Indian Charlie colt and an Officer filly each sold for $325,000. The Street Sense colt, hip No. 226, was purchased by trainer Todd Pletcher as agent for Mike Repole of Repole Stables and was consigned by Classic Bloodstock.The colt breezed one furlong in 10 seconds.The juvenile is out of the Valid Appeal mare Regally Appealing, a Grade 2 winner of $296,925. She’s produced two winners from six registered foals. The Congrats colt, hip No. 238, was consigned by Tradewinds Farm as agent and purchased by Spendthrift Farm. The son of last year’s leading freshman sire breezed a quartermile in 21 2/5 seconds at the under tack preview. He’s the first foal out of the Point Given mare Rosekris Point, who was unplaced in two starts.

The next sale at OBS is the Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, set for April 18th through April 21st with Under Tack Shows scheduled for April 12th through 15th.

Bridlewood Mare North of Eden Dies at 28 North of Eden, a foundation mare at Bridlewood Farm, died from natural causes and was buried at the Ocala farm’s thoroughbred cemetery. She was 28. Bred in Ireland and by the sire Northfields, North of Eden became one of the top broodmares in the industry the last two decades. She is the dam of Grade 1 winners—Paradise Creek (1989), Wild Event (1993) and Forbidden Apple (1995)—who combined to win 19 graded stakes, including six Grade 1 races. Paradise Creek earned more than $3.4 million, Forbidden Apple banked more than $1.6 million, and Wild Event was just shy of being North of Eden’s third millionaire with earnings of $937,274. “North of Eden was and will always be the pride of Bridlewood Farm,” said George G. Isaacs, general manager at Bridlewood. “To be blessed and associated with such a magnificent blue-hen mare is every serious horse breeder’s dream come true. The odds of any mare having two, let alone three, Grade 1 winners, another stakes winner and a daughter becoming a Grade 1 producer is truly astromical. She was revered here at the farm because we all knew how special she was.” North of Eden also produced the stakes winner I’m Very Irish and was the granddam of European champion David Junior, a Group 1 winner who earned more than $4.1 million, through her daughter, Paradise River. Bridlewood bred all of her offspring as well as David Junior. She produced winners who combined to earn almost $6.5 million at the track. Out of the Sassafras (Fr) mare Tree of Knowledge (Ire), North of Eden was a halfsister toTheatrical (Ire). She was buried alongside such Bridlewood stalwarts as My Gallant, Halo’s Image, Sugar’s Image, Jolie Jolie, Sharp Kitty, Frosty Skater and Gallant Libby.

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BIG THE

HORSE John and Carole Rio are enjoying the success of Florida-bred Kentucky Derby contender Mucho Macho Man, who they bred, raised, and broke and trained on their Ocala-based RoseGrove Farm. By JO ANN GUIDRY

J HODGES PHOTO

ust like everyone else in the Thoroughbred business, John and Carole Rio always dreamed of the big horse. That one special horse who gives all those connected with it the ride of a lifetime. The Rios’ training and selling operation even goes by the name Caballo Grande, which, of course, means “Big Horse.” So maybe it was a bit of destiny that the Rios have indeed bred their big horse, appropriately enough named Mucho Macho Man. Florida-bred graded stakes winner Mucho Macho Man is literally a big horse at 17 hands. And he has

made some big noise on the road to a possible start in the 2011 Kentucky Derby (G1). A 3-year-old colt by Macho Uno out of the stakes-winning Ponche mare Ponche de Leona, Mucho Macho Man captured the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and was third in the Louisiana Derby (G2). The Louisiana Derby favorite, Mucho Macho Man pulled off his right front shoe coming out of the gate and still finished a close game third to Pants On Fire. Trained by Kathy Ritvo, the show finish brought his seasonal earnings to $300,000 and Mucho Macho Man’s next start, with a little racing luck, will be in the Kentucky Derby on May 7.

Mucho Macho Man (inside) turns into the stretch and goes on to win the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds.

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Owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team One Racing Stable, Mucho Macho Man broke his maiden by four lengths as a two year old on September 19, 2010, at Monmouth Park. He followed that with seconds in the Nashua Stakes (G2) and Remsen Stakes (G2), bested by To Honor and Serve on both occasions. To date, he has career earnings of $410,643. Not bad for a horse that was sold privately sight unseen, save for some e-mailed pictures. “Mucho Macho Man was a June foal and a big, lanky colt. We knew he wasn’t going to mature quickly enough to be a sales horse,” said John Rio, 54, a retired jockey who rides the operation’s horses in training. “So we decided to just go ahead and break him and see how he developed.” The Rios lease 40-acre RoseGrove Farm for their breeding operation and lease stalls at Ocala Horse Farm Complex for their training division. When Mucho Macho Man progressed to galloping on the track at the latter facility, the big, lanky colt proved to be anything but gawky. “When I was on him, I couldn’t believe how easily he moved,” recalled John. “I could never really feel him hitting the ground. He turned out to be one of those horses that just floats across the track. Carole and I started thinking he could be a nice racehorse and decided to try to sell him.” Besides their own horses, the Rios have several longtime clients who board with them. It was only natural to first offer the Macho Uno colt to their clients. “I called Dr. Jim Culver, who’s been a client of ours for a long time,” said Carole, 40, an accomplished grand prix dressage rider and who has bred three Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show best-in-breed champions. “I told him about the colt over the phone and then e-mailed him pictures. He bought the colt

HODGES PHOTO

Mucho MACHO Man

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Mucho Macho Man was a June foal and a big, lanky colt.We knew he wasn’t “ going to mature quickly enough to be a sales horse, so we decided to just go ahead and break him and see how he developed. ”

ble; the Rios maintain their small share as well. The Rios, whose breeding operation at one time had grown to a 20-mare broodmare band, now have only three mares. The trio is comprised of Ponche de Leona, the dam of Mucho Macho Man; Little Tom Cat, the dam of stakes-placed Special Kid; and Evening’s Touch, a Touch Gold mare whose first foal is a Pomeroy yearling colt the Rios recently sold privately. “We only had two foals in 2008,” said Carole. “And they turned out to be Mucho Macho Man and Special Kid. That’s a pretty good foal crop.”

— John Rio

without ever seeing him in person and we retained a small share in him.” Mucho Macho Man made his initial career start for Culver and his partners in Dream Team One Racing Stable on July 17, 2010, at Calder Race Course. He finished second to Florida-bred Gourmet Dinner and impressed enough to draw more buying interest. Dean and Patti Reeves soon purchased a majority share in the colt, who now races for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team One Racing Sta-

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At the 2006 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s October mixed sale, Carole signed the $5,500 ticket for the unraced Tomorrows Cat mare Little Tom Cat. The Rios bred her to Lemon Drop Kid and she produced a 2008 colt by that sire. Through Castle Park Farm, agent, the Rios sold the colt for $25,000 to Affirmed Investment Corporation at the 2009 Keeneland September yearling sale. At the 2010 OBS June juvenile and horses of racing age sale, Wavertree Stables, agent, sold the colt for $80,000 to Dennis O’Neill. Named Special Kid, the colt was third in the 2011 Borderland Derby and has to date earned $61,880.

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Little Tom Cat had a 2009 Bandini colt named Solicitation, a 2010 Pomeroy filly and is in foal for 2011 to Maimonides. The plan is then to breed Little Tom Cat back to Pomeroy. The Thoroughbred business is very much a family affair for the Rios and their daughter Isabella,11. Carole and Isabella will often work together at a sale, scouting out the horses then bringing their choices to John. Such was the case at the 2007 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. “Carole and Isabella were out looking at horses and just fell in love with this big gray mare,” said John.

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“Turned out that she was in foal to Macho Uno, who’s thing is that this was before Mucho Macho Man even by Holy Bull and we were crazy about Holy Bull made his first start.” Ponche de Leona produced a 2010 Gottcha Gold when he was running. So, of course, we had to bid on filly named Mucho Mans Gold and a 2011 Chestertown the mare.” The Rios bought Ponche de Leona, the big gray Slew filly. She was bred back to Macho Uno in 2011. As for Mucho Macho Man, he is indeed giving the mare, for $33,000. As a racehorse, Ponche de Leona Rios the ride of a lifetime. Twice was a stakes winner of $260,870, but what really sold the Rios on We are very bullish on Carole and Isabella drove from Ocala to New Orleans to see him the mare was her pedigree. Florida bloodlines and race at Fair Grounds, first in the “We are very bullish on Florida bloodlines and Florida-breds,” Florida-breds, and Ponche Risen Star Stakes (G2) on Feb. 19 said Carole. “And Ponche de de Leona was a Florida- and then again for the Louisiana Leona was a Florida-bred with bred with great grass-roots Derby (G2) on March 26. “For me and Isabella to be great grass-roots Florida breeding, Florida breeding, so we there when he won the Risen so we thought she’d work well with our program.” thought she’d work well Star Stakes was just unbelievable,” said Carole. “And we And while the Rios were with our program. were so excited when we went happy with her Macho Uno colt, —Carole Rio back for the Louisiana Derby they later decided to sell Ponche de Leona in foal to Gottcha Gold. Consigned by the too. We really weren’t disappointed with his Rios’ Caballo Grande, agent, the mare sold for third-place f inish because he gave it his best. $5,000 to Fanlew Farms, agent, at the 2009 OBS Oc- Then, of course, when we found out about the lost shoe at the start of the race, we were even tober mixed sale. “But the more I thought about it, the more I more impressed with his performance and rewanted Ponche de Leona back,” said Carole. “So I lieved he didn’t get hurt.” Unable to make either trip, John plans to be there tracked her down and we bought her back privately by at Churchill Downs if Mucho Macho Man does start the next summer. And the best in the Kentucky Derby.

“

”

In a Heartbeat It’s not that trainer Kathy Ritvo isn’t excited about having Kentucky Derby contender Mucho Macho Man in her Gulfstream Park barn. Having grown up in a racetrack family of trainers and jockeys, she is well aware that the Run for the Roses is the opportunity of a lifetime. But if anyone already knows how your life can change in a heartbeat, it’s Kathy. On Nov. 13, 2008, at only 38, Kathy had a heart transplant. A 17-hour surgery replaced a heart that had been damaged beyond repair by cardiomyopathy, literally giving Kathy a new heart and with it, renewed life. Remarkably, six months later, Kathy was back doing what she loves, training horses. Now toss in a Kentucky Derby contender three years later and it sounds like, well, a Hollywood movie script. “I watched the 2008 Kentucky Derby on television with my cardiologist in the hospital,” said Kathy, now 41. “I was in the critical care unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital, hooked up to machines to keep my heart working while I waited for a new heart. And 26 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

now to think I might be saddling a horse in this year’s Kentucky Derby is just amazing.” A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Kathy hails from a family of Thoroughbred horsemen. Her late father Peter Petro was a trainer; brother Michael is a trainer and brother Nick is a jockey, as was her late brother Louis. “I grew up on the racetrack, mostly we raced then at Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park,” said Kathy, who acquired her trainer’s license at 18.“I always loved horses and knew I’d go into the family business.” Given that her life revolved around racehorses, it was no surprise that Kathy also married a trainer, Tim Ritvo, in 1990. That same year, the Ritvos moved to south Florida to take advantage of the Gulfstream/Calder circuit. The Ritvos have two children, Dominique, 18, and Michael, 17. In the fall of 2010, Tim Ritvo became the vice president of East Coast for MI Developments. Besides racehorses, there is another common thread in Kathy’s family—heart disease. Her brother Louis died in 1996 from what the family now knows was complications caused by cardiomyopathy; he

was only 38, the same age that Kathy was when she received her new heart. Father Peter Petro died at 73 of a heart ailment in 2007. “But we really didn’t know all these medical issues were connected until I got sick,” said Kathy, who began having serious health issues before turning 30. “I was tired all the time and didn’t know why. Then while I was pregnant in 2000, the doctors thought I had the flu and put

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“As a Thoroughbred breeder, having a horse run in the Kentucky Derby is what you dream about,” said John. “It’s so exciting that we’re almost dizzy with it.” To which Carole added, “Considering that only 20 horses out of a national foal crop of 30,000 plus

John, Isabella and Carole Rio are looking forward to the Kentucky Derby.

Thoroughbreds make it to the Kentucky Derby, what are the odds that from our foal crop of two horses that we would have a horse that has a good chance to run in it? It’s just phenomenal.” Also known as dreaming of the big horse. ■

But then the happy day came and Kathy indeed Probably the toughest part of Kathy’s duties as Mucho me on antibiotics. But I only felt worse every day.” An emergency room visit in late December led received a new heart, another chance at life. And lit- Macho Man’s trainer is saddling him in the paddock. to the discovery of a lung blood clot and Kathy was tle did she know at the time, a chance to train a Ken- Kathy is just barely five feet tall and Mucho Macho Man is every bit of 17 hands, maybe even a smidgen taller. transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital. A nearly tucky Derby contender. “I have to wear my tallest high heels and stand on “When Tim took the position with MI Developthree-week hospital stay led to the ominous diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, which causes severe de- ments, then I took over training our stable,” said Kathy, my tiptoes when I saddle him,” said Kathy, who added terioration of the heart muscle. Kathy’s situation who will have to take anti-rejection medication for the with a laugh, “I’m hoping he’s finished growing.” Besides the historical significance of having a was so dire that doctors advised terminating the rest of her life. “Tim had helped our clients, Dean and five-month pregnancy. Patti Reeves, buy the majority interest in Mucho Macho chance to become the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, Kathy also has another “It was the toughest thing I’ve ever Everything happens for a reason,” said Kathy. mission in mind. had to do,” said Kathy. “But I had my “Everything happens for a reason,” two children to think about and I “And maybe by telling my story, it’ll increase the wanted to be there for them.” public’s awareness of how important organ donation said Kathy. “And maybe by telling my The ensuing seven years were in- is. Because of that, I’m alive, with my family, health- story, it’ll increase the public’s awareness of how important organ donation creasingly difficult as Kathy’s heart ier than I’ve been in a long time, and getting to do is. I was so very lucky to receive the continued to deteriorate. She trained what I love for a living. gift of a heart. Because of that, I’m in fits and starts, mostly assisting her husband at the barn on her better days. But eventu- Man when he was a two year old. So that’s how I alive, with my family, healthier than I’ve been in a ally there were no more better days. By the summer started training him. But Tim and I work together on long time, and getting to do what I love for a living.” And if indeed, Kathy, on her tiptoes, does get to of 2008, Kathy checked into Jackson Memorial to everything, including planning out the strategy with wait for a donor heart that would hopefully come in Mucho Macho Man to get him to the Kentucky Derby.” saddle Mucho Macho Man for the Kentucky Derby, Kathy described Mucho Macho Man as “a big, as far as she’s concerned, it’ll be another gift. time. She spent her days connected to machines that rangy long-striding horse who’s not hard on himself.” One wrapped up in a heart-shaped box. kept her failing heart working, less so each day.

“

”

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By JO ANN GUIDRY

here was no shortage of catch phrases to describe the

REED PALMER PHOTO

2010 season for the Florida Thoroughbred industry. Let’s just say it was an awesome year with plenty of drama and majesty. Florida-breds Awesome Feather, Big Drama and Dubai Majesty rolled to year-end Eclipse Awards, thanks to stellar seasons capped by Breeders’ Cup victories. From this wealth of racing riches, one horse had to be selected as the 2010 Florida-Bred Horse of the Year. Not an easy task by any means. But there was no denying thatAwesome Feather’s undefeated season gave her an edge in this race and earned her the coveted title. Awesome Feather, bred and raced by Fred and Jane Brei’s Jacks Or Better Farm, was a star from the beginning. The 2-year-old filly by Awesome of Course out of the Gone West mare Precious Feather, swept the fillies division of the Florida Stallion Stakes. Sweep being the operative word here as she won the threerace series by a combined total of 17 lengths. Next up was the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Churchill Downs and Awesome Feather took care of business. Coming off the pace, she grabbed the lead and romped to a win by 2 ¼ lengths. Trained by Stanley Gold, Awesome Feather banked $1,495,746 on six victories in six starts. At the 51st Annual FTBOA Awards Dinner on Sunday, March 13, at the Ocala Hilton,Awesome

Feather was honored as the 2010 Florida-bred Horse of the Year.Also feted were the whole field of 2010 Florida-bred champions and their breeders, owners and trainers. Iconic Ocala Stud garnered the 2010 Florida Breeder of the Year award, as well as the Joe O’Farrell Memorial Award. Wildcat Heir, who stands at Brent and Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Stud, claimed the 2010 Florida Stallion of the Year and Leading Florida Juvenile Sire awards. With Distinction, who stands at Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds, earned the trophy for the 2010 Leading Florida Freshman Sire. Riveting Drama, the dam of Eclipse Award champion Big Drama, was honored as the 2010 Florida Broodmare of the Year. The Needles Award, given to the outstanding small breeder, went to Y-Lo Racing Stables.

28 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and undefeated Eclipse Award winner, Florida-bred Horse of the Year

Awesome Feather

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JOE DIORIO PHOTO

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OCALA STUD (J. Michael O’Farrell, Jr., president) cala Stud, which was founded in 1956 by a syndicate that included Joe O’Farrell, recorded one of the best years in its 55-year history to be named the 2010 Florida Breeder of the Year. The historic farm, which continues to be owned and operated by the O’Farrell family, posted Florida-bred earnings of $2,572,674. Ocala Stud was represented by seven Florida-bred stakes winners, including five graded stakes winners. In partnership with William J. Terrill, Ocala Stud was represented as co-breeder of Florida-bred graded stakes winner Gourmet Dinner. Of the five Florida-bred graded stakes winners bred and sold by Ocala Stud, Rigoletta and Turbulent Descent were Grade 1-winning juvenile fillies. Also winning graded stakes on the season were Florida-breds Shadowdancing, Tackleberry and Vuelve Ruben M. Rigoletta, a 2-year-old filly by Concerto out of the Montbrook mare Almost Aprom Queen, was bred and then sold by Ocala Stud for $35,000 at the 2010 Ocala Breeders’Sales Company’s April juvenile sale. Raced by Thor-Bred Stable, Rigoletta went on to win the Oak Leaf Stakes (G1) on at Hollywood Park. Trained by Dan L. Hendricks, Rigoletta also tallied a third in the Darley Debutante Stakes (G1) and banked $180,820 on the season. Turbulent Descent also scored her Grade 1 victory at Hollywood Park, winning the Hollywood Starlet Stakes (G1). Prior to that win, the 2-year-old filly by Congrats out of Roger’s Sue, by Forestry, had won the Moccasin Stakes at Hollywood Park. Raced by the partnership of Blinkers On Racing, Dave Aurelio, Robert Butler, Joleen Coons, et al, Turbulent Descent earned $328,350. Bred by Ocala Stud, Turbulent Descent was sold by her breeder for $160,000 at the 2010 OBS April juvenile sale. Tackleberry, a 3-year-old Montbrook gelding out of the Concerto mare Box of Joy, won the Fred W. Hooper Handicap (G3) at Calder Race Course. Owned and trained by Luis Olivares, Tackleberry

CINDY MIKELL PHOTO

30 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

also captured the Jack Dudley Sprint Handicap and earned $207,225 on the season. Tackleberry was purchased privately by Olivares as an unraced two year old from Ocala Stud. Veteran campaigner Shadowbdancing, a 5-year-old Montbrook horse, won a quartet of stakes in 2010. He posted victories in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G2), Cryptoclearance Stakes, Gus Fonner Stakes and Governor’s Cup Stakes. On the season, Shadowbdancing earned $385,750. In Puerto Rico, Ocala Stud-bred/sold Vuelve Ruben M. won the Clasico Fanatico Hipico (G3-PR) and Clasico Jose Call Vidal. The 2-year-old Concerto gelding out of Candlelightdinner, by Slew Gin Fizz, was also second in the Clasico Agustin Mercado Reveron on his way to earning $102,660 for the year. Ocala Stud was also represented by Florida-bred stakes winners Lisa’s Booby Trap (Loudonville Stakes) and Musical Romance (Sweetrickydancer Stakes).

2010 Florida Stallion of the Year 2010 Leading Florida Juvenile Sire

WILDCAT HEIR 2000 bay colt by Forest Wildcat – Penniless Heiress, by Pentelicus

ildcat Heir was a double winner again in 2010, capturing the titles of Florida Stallion of the Year and leading Florida juvenile sire. In 2009, Wildcat Heir claimed the titles of leading Florida juvenile and freshman sire. Wildcat Heir led all Florida-based stallions in 2010 with progeny earnings of $4,584,404. His juveniles of 2010 earned $869,370. Wildcat Heir was represented by 89 winners from 133 starters, giving him an impressive

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PHOTO COURTESY HAROLD QUEEN

Florida-bred stakes winners Little Drama and Big Drama helped Riveting Drama earn Broodmare of the Year honors in 2010.

leading 67 % mark in that category. Wildcat Heir was also Florida’s leading sire by number of stakes winners with eight, who won nine stakes. Three of those stakes winners were juvenile runners. The leading 2010 earner for Wildcat Heir was Florida-bred stakes winner Derwin’s Star, a 3-year-old filly out of Powerful Package, by Star de Naskra. Derwin’s Star won the Charles Town Oaks while posting a second in the Jostle Stakes and a third in the Delaware Oaks (G2). On the season, she tallied three wins, one second and one third to bank $357,840. Wildcat Heir was also represented by Florida-bred graded stakes winner Richiegirlgonewild. Out of Dream With Angels, by Saint Ballado, the 3-year-old filly won the Old Hat Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Richiegirlgonewild earned $72,324 for the year. Other Wildcat Heir stakes winners on the season included: Karmageddon (Princeton Stakes); Wildcat Heiress (Esplanade Stakes) and Dances With Ashley (Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies Stakes & OBS Sprint-Fillies Div.). Wildcat Heir’s 2-year-old

stakes winner were Breathoffreshheir (Jersey Juvenile Stakes); She’ll Heir (Cinderella Stakes) and Fiscal Policy (Bassinet Stakes). Wildcat Heir was also represented by six stakes-placed runners. A Grade 1 stakes winner of $424,460, Wildcat Heir was bred in Florida by New Farm. He won the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G1) and was second in the Sanford Stakes (G2). Wildcat Heir also notched victories in the Icecapade Stakes and Teddy Drone Stakes. By Forest Wildcat out of the Pentelicus mare Penniless Heiress, Wildcat Heir is a full brother to graded stakes winner Forest Heiress and stakes winner Forest Heir. Wildcat Heir, who entered stud in 2006, stands as property of Taylor Made/WinStar Venture and New Farm at Brent and Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Stud.

2010 Florida Broodmare of the Year

RIVETING DRAMA 1994 bay mare by Notebook – Special Token, by Hyperborean

iveting Drama, the dam of Florida-bred Eclipse Champion Big Drama and Florida-bred stakes winner Little Drama, was named the 2010 Florida Broodmare of the Year. Big Drama, a 4-year-old colt by Ocala Stud stallion Montbrook, lived up to his name big time in 2010. He began the season as graded stakes-winning millionaire and wrapped it up as a Grade 1 multiple millionaire, Breeders’ Cup winner and Eclipse champion. Bred and raced by Harold Queen, Big Drama posted early season wins in the Smile Sprint Handicap (G2) and Ponche Handicap at trainer David Fawkes’ Calder Race Course base. At Saratoga, Big Drama tallied seconds in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) and Forego Stakes (G1). Then in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs, the speedy dark bay colt left little doubt who was the best male sprinter in the country. Big Drama led from gate to wire, winning by a length and a half in 1:09.05 for the six furlongs. The BC victory brought his seasonal earnings to $1,420,810 and his career earnings to that date to $2,639,560. Not surprisingly, Big Drama was named the Florida-bred champion older male and garnered the Eclipse Award as champion male sprinter. Riveting Drama was also represented in 2010 by Floridabred stakes winner Little Drama, who won the Frank Gomez Memorial Stakes. By Burning Roma and also a Harold Queen homebred, the 2-year-old colt earned $98,490. Queen purchased Riveting Drama for $36,000 at the 1996 OBS March juvenile sale. Never raced, Riveting Drama is also the dam of stakes winner Drama’s Way and stakes-placed Coffee Can.

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2010 Leading Florida Trainer of Florida-Breds By Earnings & Stakes Wins

MARTIN D. WOLFSON artin D. Wolfson trained Florida-breds to earnings of $1,457,600 and 11 stakes wins at Florida racetracks in 2010. Wolfson trained seven Florida-bred stakes winners which won four stakes at Calder Race Course, four at Gulfstream Park, one at Tampa Bay Downs and one at Ocala Training Center. Among Wolfson’s seven Florida-bred stakes winners were graded stakes winners Jessica Is Back, Coffee Boy and Speak Easy Gal. Jessica Is Back won the Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) at Calder and Ocala Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Coffee Boy tallied win in the Carry Back Stakes (G2) and Unbridled Stakes, both at Calder. Speak Easy Gal captured the Orchid Stakes (G3) and Florida Thoroughbred Charities Stakes, both at Gulfstream Park. Rounding out Wolfson’s Florida-bred stakes winners were: Pickapocket (Bonnie Heath Turf Cup Handicap at Calder); Dances With Ashley (Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs & OBS Sprint-Fillies Div. at Ocala Training Center); Thank U Philippe (OBS Sophomore Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs) and Jet Propulsion (Sunshine Millions Turf at Gulfstream Park).

WITH DISTINCTION 2001 bay colt by Storm Cat – Extravagant Woman, by Alydar

ith Distinction was the 2010 leading Florida freshman sire by progeny earnings with a total of $794,889. He was represented by 19 winners from 51 starters to race from his initial crop. With Distinction’s leading earner was Florida-bred graded stakes-placed Decisive Moment, who earned $276,330. The bay colt out of Lady Samira, by Dehere, posted three stakes-placings on the season. Decisive Moment was second in the Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (G3). He was also third in the In Reality Stakes and Dr. Fager Stakes of the Florida Stallion Stakes series at Calder Race Course. Also representing With Distinction in 2010 was stakes-placed Dearly Concerned, a bay filly out of the Concern mare Concern Nacca. Dearly Concerned was second in the Barretts Debutante Stakes at Fairplex Park. She banked $36,304 on the season. Grade 3 stakes winner With Distinction earned $447,717 in three seasons of racing. By Storm Cat out of Extravagant Woman, by Alydar, With Distinction won the El Conejo Handicap (G3) at Santa Anita Park. He was also stakes placed six times, including a trio of seconds in graded stakes. With Distinction posted runner-up efforts in the San Antonio Handicap (G2), Churchill Downs Handicap (G2) and Maryland Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G3). With Distinction, who entered stud in 2007, stands as property of a syndicate at Hartley/De RenzoThoroughbreds.

34 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

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2010 Leading Florida Freshman Sire

2010 Leading Florida Trainer of Florida-Breds By Wins

KATHLEEN O’CONNELL athleen O’Connell trained Florida-breds to 56 wins at Florida racetracks in 2010. Among O’Connell’s winners were Florida-bred graded stakes winner Fly by Phil and multiple Floridabred stakes winner Blue Eyed Sweetie. Fly by Phil won the Tropical Park Derby (G3) for breeder/owner Gilbert G. Campbell. Also a Campbell homebred, Blue Eyed Sweetie won the Brave Raj Stakes and Lindsay Frolic Stakes, both at Calder Race Course.

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Farm Service Directory Free Listing Please check the category/categories (maximum of 2 please) you would like listed for your farm/business in

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Awesome Accolades 2010 Leading Owner by Florida-Bred Earnings

wood Starlet Stakes (G1) and Moccasin Stakes at Hollywood Park. Raced by the partnership of Blinkers On Racing, Dave Aurelio, Robert Butler, Joleen Coons, et al, earned $328,350 on the season.

JACKS OR BETTER FARM

SERITA HULT PHOTO

2010 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPIONS Awesome Feather

2010 Joe O’Farrell Memorial Award

Florida-Bred Horse of the Year Florida-bred Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Eclipse Award – Champion 2-Year-Old Filly

Consignor: OCALA STUD Horse: TURBULENT DESCENT

Breeder/Owner: Jacks Or Better Farm Trainer: Stanley Gold

he Joe O’Farrell Memorial Award is presented annually by the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company to the original consignor of the year’s best Floridabred racehorse offered at a public auction in Florida. Joe O’Farrell, who was part of a syndicate that founded Ocala Stud in 1956, was a pioneer in establishing public Thoroughbred auctions in Florida. The 2010 Joe O’Farrell Memorial Award was presented to Ocala Stud, agent, as the original consignor of Florida-bred Grade I stakes winner Turbulent Descent. Ocala Stud bred and then consigned Turbulent Descent to the 2010 OBS April 2-year-olds in training sale, where the Congrats out of Roger’s Sue, by Forestry, filly sold for $160,000 to Blinkers On Racing. Turbulent Descent won the Holly-

Florida-Bred Champion 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Breeders: Richard & Linda Thompson Owners: Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum & Kevin Tsujihara Trainer: Peter Miller

Amen Hallelujah Florida-Bred Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Breeder: Thorobeam Farm Owners: IEAH Stables, Stan Whisenant & Robert Teel Trainer: Richard Dutrow Jr.

First Dude Florida-Bred Champion 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Breeder/Owner: Donald R. Dizney Trainer: Dale Romans

Dubai Majesty Florida-Bred Champion Older Female/Sprinter Eclipse Award – Champion Female Sprinter Breeder: Harold J. Plumley Owners: Martin Racing Stable & Dan Morgan Trainer: Bret Calhoun

Big Drama Florida-Bred Champion Older Male Eclipse Award – Champion Male Sprinter Breeder/Owner: Harold L. Queen Trainer: David Fawkes

Central City Florida-Bred Champion Turf Horse Breeders: Charlie Dobbs & Frank Berris Owner: Preston Stables LLC Trainer: Ronny W. Werner 36 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

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Comma To The Top

2010 Needles Award

Y-LO RACING STABLES he Needles Award was established by the FTBOA to honor Florida breeders who own small Thoroughbred operations and have made outstanding contributions to the Florida Thoroughbred industry. The 2010 recipient of the Needles Award was Y-Lo Racing Stables, which is comprised of partners Lolita Raquiza and Yvonne Cordova. As a breeder, Y-Lo Racing Stables was represented by 2010 Florida-bred Grade 1 stakes winner Wickedly Perfect. By Congrats out of Wickedly Wise, by Tactical Cat, Wickedly Perfect was conLolita signed by her breeder through Raquiza Niall Brennan Stables, agent, to the 2010 OBS April juvenile sale. The gray/roan filly sold for $70,000 to Dennis O’Neill, agent. Raced by Peter Moehrke, Rafter JR Ranch and STD Racing Stables, Wickedly Perfect won the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland and the Sorrento Stakes (G3) at Del Mar. The Doug O’Neill trainee was also second in the Darley Debutante Stakes (G1) at Del Mar. On the season, she earned $404,600. At the 2011 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, Wickedly Perfect sold for $800,000 to Katsumi Yoshida. Y-Lo Racing Stables, established in Ocala in 2003, has a breeding and training division. The 40-acre training division is based at Oak Ridge Training Center while its broodmare operation is located on 110 acres in the McIntosh area. ■

Florida-bred Turbulent Descent

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

red and Jane Brei’s Jacks Or Better Farm led all owners by Florida-bred earnings with $2,090,319. Jacks Or Better Farm’s leading earner was homebred runner Awesome Feather, who banked $1,495,746. Awesome Feather became only the third filly to sweep that division of the Calder-based Florida Stallion Stakes. The 2-year-old filly by Awesome Again out of Precious Feather, by Gone West, captured the Desert Vixen Stakes, Susan’s Girl Stakes and My Dear Girl Stakes of the FSS by a combined winning total of 17 lengths. Awesome Feather then put the icing on the cake of her sweet season with a rousing victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) to remain undefeated in six starts. At season’s end, Awesome Feather was honored as the Florida-bred champion 2-year-old filly and collected an Eclipse Award as the North American champion juvenile filly.

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Best Of the Best Florida’s 2010 champions were honored during the

FTBOA’s 51st annual awards dinner.

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1) Jay Friedman and

J. Michael OʼFarrell Jr. 2) Crystal and Brent Fernung 3) Harold Queen 4) Harold Plumley 5) Jeanine Edwards and the Jacks or Better Farm team 6) Yvonne Cordova and Bonnie Heath

PHOTOS BY ELEANOR HANCOCK

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‘Delightful’ g

Outcome BY NICK FORTUNA

he fields were short, but the crowd was large March 14 at OBS’s Day of Champions, Ocala’s annual day at the races. In the end, a pair of Florida-bred stakes winners, Reprized Halo and Delightful Mary, showed their class while winning the day’s two biggest events before a packed crowd estimated at 5,000. The four OBS stakes races were worth a total of $297,000 and were open to 3-year-olds who have passed through the sales ring at OBS. Runners from the Sunshine State won three of the four races. In the $100,000 colts-and-geldings division of the OBS Championship Stakes, Reprized Halo snapped a four-race losing streak with a wire-to-wire victory by three-quarters of a length over fellow Florida-bred Extended Family. It was the second-biggest victory of

ELEANOR HANCOCK PHOTOS

Florida-bred Reprized Halo won the coltsand-geldings division of the OBS Championship Stakes

Reprized Halo’s career, following his 46-1 upset in the $365,000 In Reality division of the Florida Stallion Stakes at Calder in October. With Jose L.Alvarez aboard, Reprized Halo broke a step slowly and was forced wide around the first turn of the 11⁄16mile race. But the son of Halo’s Image soon made his way to the front and set a leisurely pace, taking the field of eight through a quarter-mile in 251⁄5 seconds and a half-mile 514⁄5. Reprized Halo had built a 1 ½-length lead at the top of the stretch and had enough fuel in reserve to hold off Extended

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Florida-breds win three of four stakes races at OBS Day of Champions Family and jockey Jeffrey Sanchez, who were traveling fastest of all in the final yards. The final time was 1:472 ⁄5. “We ran slow on the backside, which was good, and I felt comfortable on the horse,” Alvarez said. “I had a lot of horse left.” Reprized Halo, bred by Morriston’s Bill and Debra Backlinie, has three wins from 13 starts for $316,579. The colt, owned by Roger Urbina and trained by MannyAzpurua, was running on short rest, having gone in a $62,500 optional claimer at Gulfstream on March 6. He set the pace before finishing last of five in that race, which featured several 4-year-olds, including the victorious Equestrio, as well as Kentucky Derby (G1) prospect Dialed In. “That race at Gulfstream was a really tough race because it was stakes horses and 4-year-olds, and he ran a beautiful race because he was in front all the way until the last sixteenth and then quit,”Azpurua said. “He didn’t break as fast as I expected, but he ran a nice race, like I expected.” Azpurua said Reprized Halo, out of the Reprized mare Reprized Angel, likely will make his next start in a stakes race on Florida Cup Day at Tampa Bay Downs on April 9. Extended Family, bred by Ocala’s Emerald Pastures

Corp. and trained by Dale Romans for WinStar Farm, finished second for the third time in his four-race career and is still looking for his first victory. The son of Stephen Got Even has earned $31,995. Strike Oil, an Ontario-bred son of Forest Wildcat trained by Mark Casse, finished third. Casse reached the winner’s circle with Delightful Mary in the $97,000 fillies’ division of the OBS Championship Stakes, as the daughter of Limehouse began gearing up for a big sophomore campaign.The filly, out of the French Deputy mare Deputy’s Delight, is being pointed toward the $400,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on April 9 and the $1 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 6. Delightful Mary, making her first start of 2011, won the OBS Championship Stakes by three-quarters of a length over Florida-bred Be My Candy, taking control in midstretch and drawing clear to stop the clock for 1 1/16 miles in 1:45 4/5. Delightful Mary stalked the early pace three-wide as stablemate Silent Moon led the field of four through a quarter-mile in 24 1/5 seconds and a half-mile in 49 3/5. Jockey

Florida-bred Delightful Mary, trained by Mark Casse (above), won the filliesʼ division of the OBS Championship Stakes.

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through a quarter-mile in 214⁄5 seconds and a half-mile in 441⁄5 seconds. He was fifth in the six-horse field most of the way before angling out four-wide for the stretch run and surging past his tiring rivals to score by 1½ lengths. “My horse broke well and was running fast out of the gate, and I figured if they were six lengths ahead of me, they had to be going really fast up front, so I was just biding my time,” winning jockey Rajiv Maragh said. “Then my horse started picking it up going into the turn. I felt confident at the quarter pole that he had the top two measured, and he just kept on going through the lane and pulled away at the end.” Megalith, a Trippi gelding and a homebred for Centaur Inc., has won three of his eight The four OBS stakes races were worth a total of $297,000 and were Farms starts for $90,535. He’s out of the open to 3-year-olds who have passed through the sales ring at OBS Summer Squall mare Miss Sabrina. in the Mazarine Stakes (G3) at Woodbine in October and “It never crossed my mind,” winning trainer Ronald a third-place finish behind Florida-bred Awesome Spatz said of his horse setting a track record. “I was just Feather in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at hoping he would get up in time. I didn’t pay any attention Churchill Downs in November. to the fractions, how fast they were running, but it’s nice Be My Candy, a daughter of Candy Ride bred by to see a track record, and I’m just happy to see him win. Chuluota’s Steve Schriever, has one win and two run- I knew he was going to put in a run. He always does.” ner-up efforts in three starts for trainer Anthony PecoLegacy Wildcat, a Kentucky-bred son of Forest Wildraro. She’s earned $35,810. cat, was second, a length ahead of Dual Exhauzt in third Florida-bred Snow Trial, a daughter of Trippi bred by place. Dual Exhauzt, a son of Alke bred by Starship StaBowling & Dodd Inc., finished third for trainer Azpurua. bles and Laurence Leavy, has two wins from 10 starts. In the $50,000 colts-and-geldings division of the OBS In the $50,000 fillies’ division of the OBS Sprint, Sprint, Florida-bred Megalith rallied strongly off a torrid One Star, a daughter of Include, won by 1 ¾ lengths to pace to earn his first stakes victory and set a prevent Florida-breds from sweeping the track record for six furlongs at 1:09 3/5, shavfour-race stakes series. She rallied from fifth ing one-fifth of a second off the previous place in the field of six to stop the clock in Florida-bred Megalith won the colts-andmark shared by three runners. 1:11 with Elvis Trujillo aboard for trainer geldings division of Megalith ran about six lengths behind James DeVito. the OBS Sprint. pacesetting Florida-bred Dual Exhauzt “In the stretch, I looked behind and saw (inset) Vernon Heath that no one was coming,” Trujillo said. “This is a really nice filly.” One Star had lost her jockey in her most recent start, a $75,000 optional claimer at Tampa Bay Downs in February. She has two wins from nine starts. Florida-bred Take Me to Zuber was second, a head in front of Florida-bred Wild Penny. Take Me to Zuber, a daughter of Toccet bred by Ocala Stud Farm, is trained and owned by Luis Olivares. Wild Penny, a Congrats filly bred by Off the Hook Partners, is trained by Ray E. Tracy Jr. for M and H Stables. The fillies each have won one of four starts. ■ Shaun Bridgmohan went to work aboard Delightful Mary while going around the final turn, as the filly appeared to show rust from a layoff of more than four months. The filly responded when asked, however, and edged clear for her third win from five career starts. She’s earned $370,377 for owner John C. Oxley after commanding a sale-topping bid of $500,000 at OBS last April. “She got to relaxing on me, so I had to ask her a little bit earlier, but she gave it to me when I needed it,” Bridgmohan said. Delightful Mary has finished in the money in all of her races, including a runner-up effort behind Wyomia

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Dialed In makes

Winning Call By MICHAEL COMPTON

n what was considered one of the strongest Florida Derby (G1) fields in years, Dialed In bucked a speed-favoring surface and stormed from last place to defeat long shot Shackleford by a head April 3, giving trainer Nick Zito and owner Robert LaPenta back-to-back victories in Gulfstream Park’s signature race. They combined to win the 1 1/8-mile fixture last year with Ice Box, who subsequently finished second to Super Saver in the Kentucky Derby (G1). La Penta and Zito are the first owner and the first trainer to score consecutive wins in the Florida Derby since Calumet Farm and Jimmy Jones won with Gen. Duke and Tim Tam in 1957-58. “I haven’t felt this emotional in 20 years since Strike the Gold,” Zito told the press after the race. “I’ve been around to know how special he is with just four races.” The $1 million Florida Derby marked Dialed In’s third victory from four lifetime starts. He broke his maiden last November at Churchill Downs in his career debut. He made his seasonal bow taking on more experienced foes in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Jan. 30. Following a sluggish start in that race, he rolled to an impressive victory, defeating Sweet Ducky by 1 ½ lengths at the wire. Prior to the Florida Derby, he finished second to 4-year-old stablemate Equestrio in his initial two-turn outing. The runner-up effort, in which he raced behind runners in traffic throughout, provided the son of Mineshaft valuable experience as he continues his march on the Triple Crown trail. The allowance race returned quick dividends. At the break of the Florida Derby, Dialed In was bumped by Stay Thirsty. Jockey Julien Leparoux immediately dropped his mount over to the rail and was able to get

42 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

him to relax through the early stages. Approaching the quarter pole, Leparoux had Dialed In in full flight in pursuing the pacesetters. They swung wide around the far turn and following a determined stretch drive collared 68-1 shot Shackleford nearing the wire. Live Oak Plantation’s To Honor and Serve,

Dialed In

in Florida Derby a flashy son of Bernardini, finished a distant third in only his second start of the year. Winner of the Nashua Stakes (G2) and the Remsen Stakes (G2) at two, To Honor and Serve also finsihed third in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) earlier this year at Gulfstream.

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Florida Derby Winner Has Marion County Roots By MICHAEL COMPTON he list of Grade 1 winners broken and trained by the team at Robert Scanlon Training Center in Williston is impressive. Some of the stars that received their early lessons from the Scanlon family include Unbridled’s Song, Bernardini, Rags to Riches and Florida-breds Songster and Afleet Alex, just to name a few. Add this year’s Florida Derby (G1) winner, Dialed In, to the honor roll. Robert LaPenta’s $475,000 son of Mineshaft not only stamped his ticket to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 7 with his impressive last-to-first run, but the Nick Zito charge is certain now to be among the favorites in this year’s Run for the Roses. David Scanlon, who has carried on the successful training center started by his late father, Robert, remembers Dialed In as an attentive pupil. “Every day was a good day with Dialed In,” Scanlon said. “He was always one of those horses. He was a superstar in Dialed In every way. He came to us as a high-ticket horse, and he fit the mold. He’s handsome and has a nice family. We couldn’t be more excited.” Scanlon breaks and trains horses for LaPenta and Zito each year. He also started last year’s Florida Derby winner, Ice Box, for the connections. That LaPenta colorbearer went on to finish second after a troubled trip in the 2010 Kentucky Derby behind Super Saver. The connections hope to change their luck this time around and parlay a Florida Derby victory into roses with Dialed In. He first burst into the Triple Crown picture with an impressive victory in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 30. He followed that effort with a second-place finish to a 4-yearold stablemate in an allowance race written for him March 6. “I felt he was a little compromised in that allowance race against older horses,” Scanlon said. “There really wasn’t much pace, but I think he learned a lot from that race. He’s learned how to overcome adversity now, and the key is that he’s learned how to win.” The Florida Derby likely provided La Penta, Zito and Scanlon with some anxious moments. Down the backstretch and through solid but not blazing early fractions, Dialed In and jockey Julien Leparoux were double-digit lengths behind the leaders. David “Julien must have ice water in Scanlon his veins,” Scanlon said. “To be that far back, knowing the other riders really weren’t sending, and to close that much ground in the stretch was just amazing. It was a great ride and a great experience for the horse. This race should have Dialed In set up perfectly for the big dance.”

COGLIANESE PHOTO

Dialed In ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50 and earned $600,000 for his third victory, boosting his career bankroll to $879,206. “I think his last race really helped him,” said Leparoux. “I loved his last race. It was a very good learning race. “He learned to run between horses and take dirt in his face and it all paid off.” Zito, while concerned about the speed-favoring Gulfstream oval, stuck to his guns in pre-race instructions to Leparoux. “We had a plan,” he said. “Julien did what we asked him to (to rate off pace).“It was a gamble with the speed bias, but I knew he was capable of running this type of race. I knew he could do this if he stayed healthy. He’s amazing and I’m blessed. Once he got in position (to rally) I felt good. I’ve thought all along he was one of the top 3-year-olds in the country and he proved it.” ■

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ENDURING LEGACIES

Needles AND C By JOHN CALIFANO n the mid-twentieth century, Florida emerged as a major force in American Thoroughbred racing and breeding, largely because of Needles and Carry Back, the Sunshine State‘s first runners to win the Kentucky Derby, while also capturing two-thirds of theTriple Crown. They were exciting come-from-behind stretch runners, and their styles frequently paid winning dividends. Needles, a poor workhorse, saved himself for races. Carry Back was a trooper. The bay colt Needles, owned by Bonnie Heath and Jack Dudley, was bred by W.E. Leach in Ocala, FL., and foaled

in 1953. A five-generation outcross, Needles became only the second horse to win the Derby after his sire Ponder in 1949, and grandsire Pensive in 1944, duplicating Count Turf (1951), Count Fleet (1943) and Reigh Count (1928). Ponder made 41 career starts, and among his wins were the American Derby, Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Lawrence Realization. Pensive was sired by the great runner and leading stallion, Hyperion (GB), who in turn was sired by English Triple Crown winner Gainsborough (GB). Ponder’s unraced dam Miss Rushin was by Epsom Derby winner Blenheim II (GB), who also sired Triple Crown winner Whirlaway. Needles’ dam, Noodle Soup,

Revisiting the great accomplishments of Florida’s first two Kentucky Derby winners

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Carry Back

SKEETS MEADORS PHOTO

TURFOTOS

was by black-type winner Jack High, making her a granddaughter of John P. Grier, the horse who gallantly pushed Man o’War in the 1920 Dwyer Stakes. Noodle Soup’s great-grandsire was Whisk Broom, winner of the New York Handicap Triple Crown in 1913. Carry Back, a brown colt, came along after a mating of Saggy and broodmare Joppy in Maryland, the latter whom owner/breeder/trainer Jack Price had purchased for $300. Price and Joppy then headed for Florida, where Carry Back was born in 1958. Ten years earlier, Saggy defeated legend Citation in the six-furlong Chesapeake Trial. Carry Back’s greatgrandsire was the remarkable champion and Horse of the Year Equipose, while Hyperion and Gainsborough coursed through his blood through Saggy’s dam Chantress. Carry Back and Needles also shared a com-

mon heritage in their damlines with Bleinheim II, a grandsire of Joppy. Carry Back had 4x5 inbreeding to the great sire Teddy (Fr.) through his second dam Miss Fairfax, a granddaughter of Teddy, while his third dam Billicent was by the nonpareil broodmare sire Sir Gallahad III (Fr.), another Teddy son. Carry Back was 5x5 to the strikingly beautiful Chaucer (GB). Needles was trained by Hugh Fontaine, a decorated veteran ofWorldWar I.The colt was a champion two-year-old male in 1955, after posting six wins and two thirds in 10 starts with earnings of $129,805. Counted among his wins were Monmouth Park’s six- furlong Sapling Stakes and the 6 ½-furlong Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. Carry Back, as a juvenile in 1960, made 21 starts, with five wins, four seconds, four thirds and $286,299 in earnings.Among his victories were the seven-furlong Cowdin at Belmont Park, the 11⁄16-mile Garden State Stakes at Garden Stake Park and Aqueduct’s one-mile Remsen. Needles made his three-year-old debut on Feb. 6, 1956 under Dave Erb. Assigned 119 pounds, he finished second in a seven-furlong allowance at Hialeah. He then scored in the 1 1/8-mile Flamingo Stakes on Feb. 25,

(far left) Needles after winning the 1956 Kentucky Derby; Carry Back (above) after winning the 1961 Florida Derby.

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ENDURING LEGACIES

FRUTKOFF PHOTO

Carry Back winning the Everglades Stakes at Hialeah in 1961.

after a come-from-behind run, while in receipt of five pounds from his divisional rivals, the norm in those days at Florida tracks, due to the weight concessions allowed Florida-breds by the Florida State Racing Commision. Floridians understandably believed the win was convincing enough to make weight irrelevant, while outsiders felt it tarnished the performance. Despite the controversy, Needles was generally considered the most promising three-year-old. One month later the colt validated himself at Gulfstream Park, setting a new track record of 1:48 3/5 in the nine-furlong Florida Derby. Carry Back, at age three, first appeared on Feb. 1, 1961 under John Sellers. Assigned 126, he was fourth in Hialeah’s seven-furlong Bahamas Stakes. A week later, he won a 1 1/16-mile allowance, then took the 1 1/8-mile Everglades on Feb. 15. Ten days following that, Carry Back became only the second Florida-bred, after Needles, to win the prestigious Flamingo Stakes. He moved to Gulfstream Park and finished third behind Beau Prince in the 1 1/16-mile Fountain of Youth Stakes on March 22, after giving the winner eight pounds. He next won the Florida Derby on April 1 and three weeks later, finished second to frontrunner Globemaster in the 1 1/8mile Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. On May 5, 1956, 17 horses lined up for the 82nd running of the Run for the Roses. Favored Needles, in post one, had not raced since March. Entered as the second choice after winning the DerbyTrial, Fabius was a Calumet flyer and a son of Citation. He was followed by C.V. Whitney’s duel entry of Head Man and Career Boy. The weather was good and when the gate opened, Santa Anita Derby winner Terrang and Fabius showed the way. Needles began well back, moved into contention around the far turn, and in the stretch caught Fabius. As the pair hit the wire, Needles had a three-quarter length advantage, after covering the 1¼ miles in 2:03 2/5 on a fast surface. On May 6, 1961, the favorite Carry Back and 14 other horses went to post for the 87th edition of America’s biggest race. One of Carry Back’s rivals was second choice and Derby Trial winner Crozier, who had sped the mile

distance in track record time of 1:34 3/5. Carry Back had faced him four times already, and on two occasions Crozier finished ahead, while Carry Back’s wins were by a head. Also entered was front-running Santa Anita Derby victor Four-and-Twenty, Blue Grass Stakes winner Sherluck, and Globemaster. Carry Back broke from post 14. Globemaster and Four-and-Twenty were away first and set a reasonable pace, while Carry Back, far back during the early stages, made up ground in the final quarter. Crozier had put away the speed and two furlongs out, Carry Back hooked up with him, getting Crozier’s measure by three-quarters of a length at the finish in 2:04 on a track labeled good. On May 19, 1956, there were nine starters for the 80th Preakness Stakes, with Needles breaking from post six. When sent off, Fabius stumbled, Eiffel Blue took the early lead, and Needles dropped back. The positions remained unchanged until rounding the far turn when Fabius took the lead and widened it. Needles rallied, but this time was unable to deliver a win. After six previous losses to Needles, Fabius was one and three-quarter lengths ahead of his rival at the wire, covering the 1 3/16 miles in 1:58 2/5. It was the fourth consecutive year that the Derby runnerup had returned to take the second jewel, following Native Dancer, Hasty Road, and Nashua. Although a Triple Crown assault had been negated, the Derby and Preakness winners would meet again in NewYork.

46 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

Nine horses showed up on May 20, 1961 for the 85th running of Maryland’s signature race, including Carry Back, Crozier, Globemaster, and Sherluck, in addition to five new shooters. Squeezed back after leaving post four, Carry Back was well behind through eight furlongs, then advanced while positioned wide out of the far turn. He caught the leader Globemaster with a powerful surge in the stretch, and took the honors by three-quarters of a length. Five years after Needles set the bar for Florida, Carry

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Needles earned $600,355 with 11 wins, three seconds and three thirds in 21 starts.

FILE PHOTO

Back had just raised it. The state’s first Preakness win- mile Trenton Handicap. For the year, he compiled 16 ner was now one race away from admission into the starts, 9 wins, 1 second, 3 thirds and earnings of $565,349. most elite Thoroughbred club. Needles and Carry Back were recognized as 3-yearThe 88th running of the 1½-mile Belmont Stakes on old male champions for their respective campaigns, the June 16, 1956 was contested by eight colts (geldings were second divisional honor for Needles. In 1957, Needles ineligible). Leaving the gate, Fabius, Ricci Tavi and made three starts at age four, winning the Fort LaudCharlevoix winged it through eight furlongs in 1:11 4/5. erdale Handicap before being retired. In 1962, Carry Needles was 17 lengths behind and ahead of only one Back made 18 starts as a 4-year-old, including in France’s horse, but eventually cut Prix de l’Arc de TriomNeedles and Carry Back paved the way for many that entire deficit, rephe, won the Metrolentlessly charging to- other illustrious Florida-breds to leave their inpolitan, Monmouth ward Fabius in the delible marks on the thoroughbred industry. Their and Whitney Handistretch. He got by the legacies have spread far beyond their home state caps, and became the leader, but then pulled first Florida-bred miland endure across the American landscape. himself up, as oncomlionaire. After a brief ing Career Boy tried to pass. Needles hung on by a neck, retirement, Carry Back returned to racing in 1963, at age finishing in 2:29 4/5, with Fabius salvaging third. His five, and made six starts, calling it quits for good after Triple Crown challenge over, Needles had earned a his second win in the Trenton. unique place in his state. Needles recorded 21 career starts, for 11 wins, 3 secInAugust, Needles went to Washington Park, where he onds, 3 thirds and $600,355 in earnings. Carry Back’s made two starts on the turf in a six-furlong handicap, and career showed 61 starts, 21 wins, 11 seconds, 11 thirds the American Derby at 13⁄16 miles, but finished out of the and earnings of $1,241,165, fourth on the all-time money money in both. His three-year-old campaign reflected eight list at the time. starts, four wins, two seconds and $440,850 in earnings. At stud, Needles sired more than 20 stakes winners, More importantly, he had put Florida on the racing map. notably Irish Rebellion, who made 114 starts. Among Nine horses started in the 93rd running of the Bel- Carry Back’s stakes winning-progeny were fillies Back mont Stakes on June 3, 1961, including Carry Back. He in Paris, who made 53 starts, Taken Aback from 44 starts, broke from post two, kept to the rail, and raced close to the pace. Through the backstretch, the colt was in tight quarters but eager to run and Sellers dropped him back to last, before steering him outside. Carry Back was clear, four furlongs out, but couldn’t make up the ground. Sherluck, a long shot after finishing fifth in both the Derby and Preakness, crossed the wire first. The best Carry Back could do was seventh, 15 lengths behind the winner. He also suffered a cut to his left front ankle, resulting in a swollen leg, infection and slight rise in his temperature. He was sidelined until late August. The gutsy little Carry Back returned on Aug. 26 and annexed a seven-furlong allowance at Atlantic City on a muddy track. A week later he won Belmont Park’s one mile Jerome Handicap under 128 pounds, while conceding 17 pounds to runner-up Garwol. Carry Back started twice more in September. He made his first at- and the gelding Sharp Gary from 115 starts. tempt on the turf in Atlantic City’s 13⁄16-mile United NaCarry Back was inducted into the National Museum of tions Handicap against older horses but finished Racing and Hall of Fame in 1975, and Needles joined him unplaced. On Sept. 30, he faced powerful Horse of the in 2000. Carry Back died in 1983, and Needles a year later. Needles and Carry Back paved the way for many Year Kelso in the 1 ¼- mile Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park, getting up for third as Kelso equaled the track other illustrious Florida-breds to leave their indelible mark of 2:00. On Oct. 11, Carry Back started in Aque- marks on the thoroughbred industry. Their legacies have duct’s 15⁄8-mile Lawrence Realization and again finished spread far beyond their home state and endure across third. Finally, at Garden State on Oct. 28, he won the 1¼- the American landscape. ■

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011 47

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From coast to coast,

Florida’s tax-friendly, pro-business environment is poised and ready to attract new companies and create new employment opportunities. • No personal state income tax. • No individual capital gains tax. • Ranked third in the U.S. for number of horses and size of horse industry. • National leader in veterinary and equine research. • Horses are exempt from sales tax when purchased from their original breeder. • Feed and animal health items, along with other specific items, are also exempt. • Florida’s greenbelt exemption provides property tax breaks for Florida horse farms. • No tax on stallion seasons. • Physical climate allows for year-round training, racing, showing and business opportunities.

Florida... the Best State for Business

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Florida-bred Awesome Feather became the third filly in history to sweep the Florida Stallion Stakes series and the first to go on and win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com

FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES Adam Putnam, Commissioner 850-921-7916 • Fax 850-922-0374 e-mail: michael.ryshouwer@freshfromflorida.com 407 S. Calhoun • 427-A Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399

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Following are the “FTBOA Chase to the Championship ” Point Standings through April 6, 2011. Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Horse

Breeder

Owner

Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno) - 7 Watch Me Go (West Acre) - 6 Flashpoint (Pomeroy) - 5 Positive Response (Pomeroy) - 5

John D & Carole A Rio Gilbert G Campbell Silverleaf Farms, Inc. Rosebrook Farms LLC & Moreau Bloodstock, Int’l Inc..

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing & Dream Team One Racing Stable Gilbert G Campbell Peachtree Stable Gevertz, Morey, Newman & Pagano

Trainer

Ocala Stud E Paul Robsham Stables LLC Hardacre Farm

Blinkers On Racing, Dave Aurelio, Robert Butler, Joleen Coons, Lapso, et al E Paul Robsham Stables LLC Hardacre Farm

Mike Puype Todd A Pletcher Amy Tarrant

Luis Olivares Jules Boutelle Priscilla Vaccarezza C R K Stable B J Wright

Luis Olivares Justin Sallusto Dale L Romans John W Sadler Michael Pender

Katherine Ritvo Kathleen O’Connell Richard E Dutrow William E Morey

Three-Year-Old Filly Turbulent Descent (Congrats) - 25 R Heat Lightning (Trippi) - 10 Pomeroys Pistol (Pomeroy) - 7

Older Male (Four-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding) Tackleberry (Montbrook) - 15 Teaks North (Northern Afleet) - 15 Little Mike (Spanish Steps) - 9 Gladding (Sarava) - 5 Jeranimo (Congaree) - 5

Ocala Stud Brylynn Farm Inc. Carlo E Vaccarezza Kathyrn C Schultz Brylynn Farm Inc.

Older Female (Four-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare) Aegean (Northern Afleet) - 5 Amen Hallelujah (Montbrook) - 5 Trip for A.J. (Trippi) - 5 Wild About Marie (Wildcat Heir) - 4

Vegso Racing Stable Thorobeam Farm Peter Fuller Robert L Dodd, Tonya Jurgens & Drycreek Stables LLC

Steven Michal Bell IEAH Stables, Whizway Farm, Teel, Robert and Pegasus Holding Group Stables Peter Fuller Ike & Dawn Thrash

Wesley A Ward Richard E Dutrow Milton W Wolfson Jeffrey D Thornbury

Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up, male and female, race distances one mile and less) Tackleberry (Montbrook) - 10 Turbulent Descent (Congrats) - 10 Little Mike (Spanish Steps) - 9 Pomeroys Pistol (Pomeroy) - 7

Ocala Stud Ocala Stud Carlo E Vaccarezza Hardacre Farm

Luis Olivares Blinkers On Racing, Dave Aurelio, Robert Butler, Joleen Coons, Lapso, et al Priscilla Vaccarezza Hardacre Farm

Luis Olivares Mike Puype Dale L Romans Amy Tarrant

Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up, male and female, races run on the turf)r Teaks North (Northern Afleet) - 15 Little Mike (Spanish Steps) - 9 Jeranimo (Congaree) - 5 Trip for A.J. (Trippi) - 5

Brylynn Farm Inc. Carlo E Vaccarezza Brylynn Farm Inc. Peter Fuller

Jules Boutelle Priscilla Vaccarezza B J Wright Peter Fuller

Justin Sallusto Dale L Romans Michael Pender Milton W Wolfson

■ Selection Criteria for Florida-bred champions Year-end divisional champions will be determined using the “FTBOA Chase to the Championship” point system, a ranking that awards points for success in stakes races. The “FTBOA Chase to the Championship” allocates points for stakes wins in graded races, open-company stakes and Florida’s signature racing days, with the number of points awarded based upon the classification of the race. International stakes race status is governed by the International Cataloguing Standards Committee. The first three finishers in all Group/Graded and listed races appearing in Part I of the International Cataloguing Standards and International Statistics Book printed by The Jockey Club receive “black-type” designation. The Florida-bred with the most points in each division on December 31 is deemed champion of that division. Horse of the Year, Broodmare of the Year and Breeder of the Year will be voted on by the FTBOA Board of Directors and announced at the FTBOA’s annual awards dinner. In the case of a year-end tie in points in any division, earnings will be used to decide the tiebreaker. Points are assigned as follows: 50 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

■ World Thoroughbred Championship Breeders’ Cup Race: Win: 20 points Place: 15 points Show: 10 points

■ Grade 1 Stakes Race: Win: 15 points Place: 10 points Show: 5 points

■ Grade 2 Stakes Race: Win: 5 points Place: 3 points Show: 2 points

■ Grade 3 Stakes Race: Win: 3 points Place: 2 points Show: 1 point

■ Sunshine Millions (equivalent to a Grade 2 Stakes Race): Win: 5 points Place: 3 points Show: 2 points

■ Other Florida-bred Signature Race Days (equivalent to a Grade 3 Stakes Race):

(The Florida Million, Florida Cup, Florida Stallion Stakes Series): Win: 3 points Place: 2 points Show: 1 point

■ Open-Company Stakes ($50,000 + Purse) Points for WIN ONLY: Win: 2 points

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Experience the thrill of victory in Florida's Thoroughbred industry. To learn more about breeding and owning racehorses in the Sunshine State, call us today or visit us on the web at www.ftboa.com www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 www.ftboa.com

AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 info@ftboa.com

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Leading Florida Sires The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing results updated through April 7, 2011. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

MONTBROOK Name

Sire Name

Farm Name

Montbrook

Buckaroo

Ocala Stud

Wildcat Heir

Forest Wildcat Journeyman Stud

LEROIDESANIMAUX

WILDCAT HEIR NA Earnings

Stk Gr Leading Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings Earner

Leading Yrlg Earnings Sold

Yrlg Avg

2yo Sold

2yo Avg

$993,620

Tackleberry

$550,000

$13,500

$33,333

$871,376

$871,122

Wild About Marie

$73,200

$26,212

$48,100

Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) Candy Stripes Stonewall Farm Ocala

$809,209

$839,524

Animal Kingdom

$293,100

$7,522

$2,000

Graeme Hall

Dehere

Winding Oaks

$812,643

$816,077

Duke of Mischief

$115,000

$8,250

$3,500

Pomeroy

Boundary

Vinery Florida

$715,950

Flashpoint

$165,200

$17,455

$200,000

With Distinction

Storm Cat

Hartley/De Renzo

$636,632

$638,129

Decisive Moment

$251,000

$16,541

$51,667

Chapel Royal

Montbrook

Signature Stallions

$570,848

$574,401

Dahlgren Chapel

$62,100

$5,817

$18,000

Strong Hope

Grand Slam

Winding Oaks

$514,857

$557,034

Hattaash

$32,238

$10,740

$2,000

Consolidator

Storm Cat

Journeyman Stud

$476,489

$507,348

Cute N Sassy

$49,680

$6,360

$9,250

West Acre

Forty Niner

Stonehedge Farm South $497,022

$497,022

Watch Me Go

$246,820

$1,200

$5,500

52 THE FLORIDA HORSE â&#x20AC;˘ APRIL/MAY 2011

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Then

editor’s

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And Now Longevity: my new favorite word.

Summer Best/COOKIE SERLETIC PHOTO

was on the phone with my mother a few weeks back, discussing upcoming plans, talking about taxes, getting updates on my grandparents’ health. We chatted for a bit about the season’s citrus Friends and crop, yesterday’s thunderstorm, the spring pastures starting to grow, the tractor, the mower, the strangers often ask me chicken they grilled for the entire youth group last week. how the horse indusAnd then she casually dropped the big news: “Oh, and Bridget came home today.” try is doing in this Silence. economy, and my reI tried really hard to clear the cobwebs from my brain. Bridget. Bridget who? Not Bridget the sponse is consistent. buckskin pony, surely. But she’s the only Bridget I know. Horses are magnets. “What the?You’re kidding. Bridget is alive?” I asked. It’s been ages since I’ve thought of our ol’ girl. They are beautiful. Turns out, the creamy-colored pony with the wild mane is very much alive, and after we did the They are powerful. math, we can only guess she’s no younger than 35. For the They teach responsipast 20 or so years, Bridget has been lovingly cared for by at bility. They command least 14 children and their families, by my count. After Bridattention and respect. get taught my sister, my brother and myself to ride, we began For thousands of loaning her out to kids and worthy causes throughout Florida. years, they were our During all those years, Bridget has pulled her own weight, key to transportation carefully teaching valuable horsemanship lessons to children, and mobility, war and and giving them confidence and responsibility while never peace. And today, holding a grudge and never demanding an agenda. She didthose of us who are n’t care if you saddled her up in western or English attire, rode her bareback standing up, or hitched truly smitten with her to a cart, or gussied her up for a showmanship class. She ran barrels and poles, worked cows and horses will continue jumped jumps. We took her camping and we took her hunting. She has worn expensive tack as well as to do whatever it cheap imitations; she has traveled many miles in stock trailers and in fancy rigs, and she never comtakes to have them in plained either way. She has served, and she has served gallantly. our lives. For My mom tells me that Bridget is now patiently teaching my little nieces to ride, and I can’t find the longevity. words to explain how much that means to me. Friends and strangers often ask me how the horse industry is doing in this economy, and my response is consistent. Horses are magnets. They are beautiful. They are powerful. They teach responsibility. They command attention and respect. For thousands of years, they were our key to transportation and mobility, war and peace. And today, those of us who are truly smitten with horses will continue to do whatever it takes to have them in our lives. For longevity. For ponies like Bridget, and for those who are committed to the world of horses, I am grateful. For longevity. Bridget (top left), circa 1980, tolerating me and my older sister in It’s a privilege to journey with you.

“

”

Wauchula, Fla.

Summer Best

Bridget (left), 2011, at my parentsʼ home with my two sweet nieces in Wauchula, Fla., about 5 miles from where we first tacked up this special buckskin pony. THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011 53

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When the heat rises,

does your horse sweat?

Anhidrosis By MARTHA MALLICOTE, DVM Large Animal Medicine, University of Florida

Anhidrosis is defined as a decreased ability to sweat in response to increased body temperature. Failure to sweat has been described in both horses and man, and it occurs primarily in hot, humid climates. In the working horse, thermoregulation is mainly accomplished by sweating. Between 15-25 percent of heat is dissipated by the respiratory tract, while 65-70 percent of heat is lost via the evaporation of sweat. Humid environments also result in less efficient evaporation of sweat from the skin surface, magnifying any preexisting sweating abnormalities. ANATOMY/PHYSIOLOGY

54 THE FLORIDA HORSE â&#x20AC;˘ APRIL/MAY 2011

Sweat glands are densely packed in horse skin (810 glands per cm2), primarily exiting to the skin surface at a hair follicle. These tubular, coiled glands have a rich blood supply and numerous nerves are found in close proximity to the glands. The sweat produced has a number of components, including proteins, electrolytes and significant amounts of water. The proteins found in sweat are primarily glycoproteins, surfactants and proteins associated with skin defense. Electrolytes (including sodium, potassium, and chloride) are found at a higher concentration than blood, particularly potassium. The signaling mechanism to initiate sweat production is not fully understood, but stimulation of the sweat glands occurs either via messengers circulating in the bloodstream or via direct stimulation from nerves found in the area of the sweat glands. In chronic cases, microscopic tissue examination reveals atrophied sweat glands and there is a poor response to epinephrine injected into those sweat glands. In acutely affected horses, these abnormalities are not yet present. The discrete defects in sweat gland function or signaling that cause anhidrosis have not yet been proven, though several theories exist.

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ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN FILER: PRINTED WITH PERMISION OF THE BLOOD HORSE/BREEDERSʼ CUP

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â&#x2013; Anhidrosis PREVALENCE

The disease is widespread in Florida and other hot, humid climates. There is no apparent age, sex, breed, or color predisposition to the disease. Both Florida-bred and imported horses may be affected. Epidemiologic studies have suggested a prevalence of between 2-6 percent of horses. In a study of non-racetrack Florida farms, 1.8 percent of horses were anhidrotic and 11.2 percent of farms reported at least one case of anhidrosis. CLINICAL SIGNS

Onset of clinical signs can be gradual or acute. Increased respirations and failure to cool after exercise are the most common initial clinical findings. In situations that should elicit copious sweating, these animals will have minimal or no sweat production. Poor appetite combined with high fevers may be misdiagnosed as an infection, especially in the acute phase. With chronic disease, horses develop dry flaky skin (especially on the forehead), hair loss, fatigue, anorexia, and decreased water consumption. Some areas may still sweat, which can be confusing. DIAGNOSIS

Anhidrosis can often be diagnosed presumptively, based on the clinical signs and examination by a veterinarian. Confirmatory testing with epinephrine or terbutaline can be performed if the diagnosis is unclear or as a method to evaluate treatments. A suspected anhidrotic horse and a normal horse can be injected at the same time and their sweat pro-

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■ Anhidrosis duction compared. A quantitative test using terbutaline is also available. Serial dilutions of terbutaline are administered intradermally and the sweat is collected on absorbent pads for weighing. TREATMENT

Moving a horse to a cooler climate has been well-documented to help anhidrotic horses. It is essential that non-sweaters living in Florida are carefully managed to prevent high body temperatures. These horses should be kept stalled or in a shaded paddock during the daytime. Access to fans and misters can be helpful in keeping them cool. Some horses will get into water sources found in their pastures (such as ponds or big water troughs) to cool off. Also ensure that they have constant access to cool, clean drinking water. Adjunctive feeding of electrolytes or salt mixtures (“Lite salt”) will help them maintain appropriate total body electrolyte concentrations. Many horse owners feel that supplements marketed for anhidrotic horses provide some relief. Many other treatments are often attempted, including oral supplementation with dark beer, salts, vitamins/electrolytes or thyroid supplementation. Medical treatment has also been attempted with ACTH, alpha-2 agonists (xylazine, detomidine), prostaglandins (Lutalyse), antihistamines and Methyldopa (Aldo-Met), but has been generally unsuccessful and use of these medications is not entirely without risk. Acupuncture appears promising as a treatment and there is an ongoing clinical trial at the University of Florida to assess its efficacy. In order to be enrolled, a horse must have become anhidrotic within the last two years and test positive for the disease with the terbutaline sweat test. Enrolled horses receive either four weekly acupuncture treatments and herbal medication or four “sham” acupuncture treatments with false herbal medications. Doctors can travel to your farm for treatments and sweat tests before and after the treatment period. Additional work is needed to better identify the specific mechanisms of anhidrosis and will help in developing more useful treatments. ■

Wanted: Non-Sweaters In an effort to crack the anhidrosis code and improve the lives of horses suffering from anhidrosis, the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is currently seeking non-sweaters for a 60-day non-invasive research study that centers around acupuncture therapy. To qualify, horses must be located within 70 miles of UF, and owners must be willing to top-dress the horse’s feed twice daily with an herbal supplement. Horses will receive acupuncture on days 1, 8, 15 and 29 by UF researchers. To enroll a horse in the research this spring and summer, contact Jim Burrow: (352) 294-4383; burrowj@ufl.edu. 58 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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HORSE COUNCIL NEWS

AHC National Issues Forum to Focus On New Tenor in Congress The American Horse Council has announced that the theme for this year’s National Issues Forum is “Congress on a Diet: What It Means for the Horse Industry.” This year’s National Issues Forum will be held June 21 in Washington, DC, during the AHC’s annual meeting. The annual meeting will run from June 19 to 22 at the Washington Court Hotel and also includes an update on the national equine health initiative, the Congressional Reception and the annual Congressional Ride-In. This year’s meeting will also see the return of the AHC’s Breed Roundtable, a popular event that brings together leaders of horse associations to discuss common issues of importance to the industry. The AHC’s various committees, including the Unwanted Horse Coalition, will also meet to discuss issues affecting the equine community. “The highlight of this year’s forum will be presentations from members of Congress, staff and federal regulatory agencies on the new fiscal realities in Washington. They will discuss how Congress’s efforts to deal with the country’s deficits may result in cut-backs to federal programs and spending that could affect the horse industry,” said AHC president Jay Hickey. “There is a new paradigm in Washington that will affect all American industries, including the horse industry.” As part of this year’s annual meeting, the AHC is hosting a Breed Roundtable. This event was an important part of previous AHC annual meetings and allowed leaders of horse organizations involved in various disciplines to visit with each other and discuss issues of

60 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

common concern. The AHC Board of Trustees believes it is important to reinstitute the Breed Roundtable this year because of the important issues facing the horse industry. Welfare issues, disease outbreaks, unwanted horses, and public relations are all concerns. The number of people purchasing horses and participating in the industry is down. As the country emerges from the economic downturn, many horse associations are wrestling not only with how to bring back people who have left the industry but also how to attract new owners, new participants, and new members. The Breed Roundtable will provide an opportunity for industry executives to discuss these issues across breeds and disciplines and learn from each other. There will also be an update on the national equine health initiative. “This initiative resulted from the USDA-AHC hosted workshop at last year’s National

Issues Forum, which provided an opportunity for the horse industry, key federal and state authorities, and others to discuss a coordinated approach to the handling of serious infectious equine diseases that threaten the health of our horses and the commercial health of the industry,” Hickey said. These outbreaks affect the interstate and international movement of horses, which is critical to the horse industry. When barriers to movement are raised by states and foreign countries concerned about the spread of infectious diseases, this affects sales, breeding, racing, competitions and recreation. The annual Congressional Ride-In will occur on Wednesday, June 22. The Ride-In allows members of the horse community to meet with their elected representatives and their federal officials to discuss important issues affecting them. All members of the horse community are encouraged to participate, even if you don’t attend the AHC convention. “The Ride-In puts a face on the $102 billion horse industry and the millions of Americans who are part of it,” Hickey said. “The most effective way to affect Congress is through the voters, the horse people from back home who can tell Congress firsthand about the horse industry in their respective states and districts and the issues that impact them.” The AHC will conduct a free briefing for Ride-In participants. Anyone wishing to participate in the Ride-In should contact AHC Legislative Director Ben Pendergrass at bpendergrass@horsecouncil.org or (202) 296-4031.

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Florida Hosts National Championship

NEWS BITS

UF dressage championship to be held in Newberry this spring. Riders from mare than 20 colleges and universities throughout the United States will converge at the Canterbury Equestrian Show Place in Newberry, Fla., April 30May 1 to compete at the Intercollegiate Dressage Association’s 9th annual National Championship. More than 100 riders will compete as either part of a four-member team or as individuals in each of the IDA’s four divisions: Introductory, Lower Train-

Research Funding Available May 15 is the deadline to apply for up to $50,000, per application, to investigate the impact of equine assisted activities. Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) invites proposals to investigate the effects of horses on humans. The Foundation’s broad research agenda includes basic research as well as clinical studies that will ultimately impact physical and mental health and the quality of life for participants in equine-assisted activities/therapies. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, taking into account scientific merit, scientific and clinical significance and relevance to areas designated by the Foundation. Preference will be given to investigators with solid credentials and research experience.The average grant award is $50,000 for up to a one-year period. Now available at the HHFR Website (www.horsesandhumans.org): webinars for prospective grant applicants, all application materials, copies of previously funded applications, feedback from the scientific review committee about previously submitted applications, and more. Researchers may contact the foundation office for assistance finding local programs that provide equine-assisted activities/therapies, for possible collaborations. For more information on supporting this research or becoming a donor, contact KC Henry, executive director, KCHenry@horsesandhumans.org.

ing, Upper Training and First Level. The IDA comprises 680 student riders representing 60 colleges and universities in the US and Canada divided into 10 regions. The qualifying teams and individual riders have earned their way to the championship by earning points in IDA-sanctioned competitions held throughout the academic year within their respective regions. The University of Florida and its dressage team are hosts for the event. The team is also among the early qualifiers for the competition, which includes Delaware Valley College, last year’s National Champion Team, Virginia Intermont College, and Mt. Holyoke College. With three national championship titles each, Virginia Intermont and Mt. Holyoke have dominated the IDA since it began as a national organization in 2001. Unlike traditional dressage competition where riders show on their own horses, IDA shows require that the host school provide the horses and tack, and riders choose their horses through random draw. This means that they are showing on unfamiliar horses with only 10 minutes of warm-up time to establish a relationship before entering the show ring.

“There is such camaraderie among the riders and the coaches,” said Lisa Moosmueller-Terry, vice president of the IDA and Intermont’s dressage coach. “The competition is intense, but there is still such a sense of support from the other teams. We all applaud one another and are happy when the ribbons are well distributed among riders from all the regions.” Officials for the event will be USDF “S” judge, Charlotte Trentlemam, of Ocala, and “R” judge, Lisa Payne of Wellington, Fla. Among the numerous sponsors for the event are Thornhill Saddles, Perri’s Leather, Techniche, Dressage Today and Westfield Whips. The IDA began in 1995 as an informal competition among a small group of colleges and secondary schools in the northeast. Michelle Hoffman, who was a student at Mt. Holyoke during this time, was the originator of the IDA concept. She personally drew up the basic structure for the team competition and the guidelines for calculation of team points, which, for the most part, are still in use today.

Updated FEI Drug Rules in Effect The much-discussed 2011 FEI Equine Prohibited Substance List, which went into effect April 4, has been publicly available since the FEI General Assembly in Taipei last November when it was unanimously approved. The 2011 List shows all Prohibited Substances added to or removed from the 2010 List and Database until June 4, 2011. “The fight against doping is one that all International Federations are committed to and the FEI is working tirelessly to come up with new ways to contribute to that fight in line with the joint-recommendations produced by the commissions headed by Professor Arne

Ljungqvist and Lord Stevens,” said Graeme Cooke, Director of the FEI Veterinary Department. “Everyone involved in horse sport needs to be aware of the changes in the 2011 List and this crucial information is now easily accessible online and via free downloadable applications for iPhones and other mobile devices.” As part of its ongoing Clean Sport campaign and to maintain fair play, the FEI will continue with a full range of testing, including for hypersensitisation, at major events during the season. Visit www.horsesport.org for more information. THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011 61

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NEWS BITS

Does Your Vet Do Good Works? Nominate an equine veterinarian for selfless service to improve the health and welfare of horses. The American Association of Equine Practitioners is celebrating the “good works” of veterinarians who are devoting time and expertise beyond the scope of their everyday practice to help horses and the equine community. Throughout 2011, the AAEP’s Good Works Campaign will spotlight AAEPmember practitioners whose volunteer efforts are improving the health and welfare of horses. According to a 2009 AAEP Equine Welfare survey, 71 percent of members had donated resources or services to assist the equine community in the past year. The AAEP invites horse owners and organizations to nominate veterinarians who have contributed veterinary services or re-

62 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

sources to benefit horses and the local equine community. Each month, the AAEP will select a veterinarian nominated by a horse owner or organization for special recognition. Monthly honorees will be considered for the 2011 Good WorksAward, to be presented during the 57th Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The deadline for horse owners and organizations to nominate a veterinarian for January is Jan. 31.The nomination form is available at www.aaep.org/goodworks.htm. The AAEP defines “good works” as selfless acts of giving back to the horse, for the sake of the horse and people they serve. Examples of “good works” may include: ■ Offering free or low-cost vaccinations or veterinary services to a community ■ Volunteering services or resources at an equine rescue or retirement facility ■ Volunteering services or resources at a horse-related therapy center

■ Contributing funds to support an equine-related benevolent program ■ Participating in educational programs for youth equine organizations ■ Educating clients or horse owners about proper horse health care ■ Helping working equids locally or abroad, including projects in third world countries AAEP members performing “good works” will be featured on the AAEP’s Good Works webpage, in Equine Veterinary Education, and a bi-monthly e-newsletter, Spur of the Moment. In addition, a few Good Works candidates will share their volunteer experiences first-hand through the AAEP’s Good Works Blog: Works in Progress. To discover the Good Works of AAEP veterinarians, nominate a Good Works candidate or find out how you can get started volunteering, visit www.aaep.org/goodworks.htm.

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PRACTICALLY SPEAKING

It’s a Dirt Thing irty Fact: Horses lie in it, roll in it and sometimes even eat it (geophagia). Some experts believe the desire to eat dirt is driven by a craving for certain minerals in the dirt. Australia researchers analyzed soil from areas in the country where horses ate the most dirt and found the soil in these areas contained higher levels of iron and copper than soil in other areas. Good soil management for maintaining fertility and productivity begins with the following: (1) suitable tillage; (2) maintaining the supply of organic matter; (3) correcting soil acidity; (4) providing an appropriate supply of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium as well as other elements necessary for plant growth and (5) use of mechanical measures to control erosion when and where crop rotation and cover cropping are not sufficient. Each spring I receive numerous requests for pasture fertilization recommendations. The most appropriate fertilization plan for your farm depends on your pasture, your soil and your intended use. The best fertilization recommendation requires a soil sample.Why add stuff you have in abundance…and why short yourself on elements deficient in your pasture? With water quality and environmental concerns in mind, the University of Florida developed a specific soil/tissue test for Bahiagrass pastures. This test requires a normal sampling of soil and also requires grass clippings to be submitted along with the soil sample. The test will determine soil pH as well as indentify the amount of Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium and Calcium present. Liming and fertilization recommendations are developed to meet your individual needs. For the Phosphorus recommendation, the amount of available Phosphorus in the soil is compared to the amount of available Phosphorus in the grass. Pick up your free soil sample kit at a UF/IFAS Extension Service or visit cflag.ifas.ufl.edu and look under the links tab for the Extension Soil Testing Laboratory (ESTL). Speaking of soil, on Earth Day, April 22, the UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Service and the Discovery Center od Ocala are hosting “Earth Fest Under the Stars” at 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd. in Ocala. The theme is “DIRT,” and everyone – town folks, ranchers and farmers are invited to come together to celebrate and learn a little more about the importance of soil. This family-friendly festival will run from 5-10 p.m. and will feature a farmer’s market with local growers, educational and outdoor vendors, worm art, games, putt-putt

golf, “real” mud-pie making as well as edible dirt-cups and live entertainment for the family. Horse carriage rides will be available for an additional cost, and everyone is invited to watch the live harness horse demonstration. There will also be the first ever “soil permeability” race. If you would like to participate, bring a 1 gallon Ziploc bag full of soil from your yard. A recycling center will be set up in the parking lot and opened to all. Bring used electronics: cell phones, computers, printers, TVs, etc. for free recycling. The critically acclaimed “Dirt-The Movie,” which is endorsed by the Soil Science Society ofAmerica, is for all ages and will be shown outside, under the stars at 8:15 p.m. The movie explores the important role healthy soils provide in our daily life. Everyone is invited to bring chairs and blankets. Additionally, the movie and live entertainment will be powered with electricity generated entirely from horse manure. Visitors can take tours through the flower and vegetable garden and chat with extension agents and dedicated volunteers. Agents will be on hand to answer questions related to composting, energy topics, horses and manure management, water resources, horticulture, and more. Single tickets are $5 in advance and family passes are $20 in purchased before April 20. At the gate, single tickets will be $7 and family passes will be $25. Register on line at: earthfestunderthestars.eventbrite.com or by phone at (352) 671-8400. As an added bonus, each of the following geocache locations has 2 free family tickets ($40 value): Hole In The Wall - N29°09.966’; W082°07.262’, Flower Power N29°11.106’; W082°08.028’, Prehistoric Find N29°11.663’; W082°07.831’, and Marion County Ag Center - 29°12.591’; W082°07.856. For more information and a complete description of each site, visit act.earthday.org/event/earth-fest-under-stars. ■

by UF/IFAS Marion County Livestock Agent Mark Shuffitt

Mother Earth “The EARTH is the mother of us all – plants, animals and men. The phosphorus and calcium of the earth build our skeletons and nervous systems. Everything else our bodies need except air and sun comes from the earth. The social lesson of soil waste is that no man has the right to destroy soil even if he does own it. The soil requires a duty of man . . .” – Henry A. Wallace (1938) Considered by many one of this country’s greatest secretaries of agriculture (1932–1938), Wallace also served as vice president of the United States (1940–1944) and Secretary of Commerce (1945–1946). He was a corn geneticist, an agricultural economist, and a vigorous advocate of soil conservation and ecology. The well-being of future generations must be secured also if the nation is to continue to live. One of the great national objectives is to pass the soil on to our descendants as nearly unimpaired as possible. – Soils and Men, Yearbook of Agriculture 1938, USDA THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011 63

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Olympic Attraction Florida has a long history of attracting the world’s finest

hunters and show jumpers, and today’s HITS Ocala market is growing increasingly popular with high-performance riders. By ALEXANDRA LAYOS t first Neal Shapiro didn’t want to tell me why he likes the Ocala-based Horse Shows in the Sun so much. “If I tell you, everybody will come here and it won’t be the same,” he laughed, leaning back in his foldable chair. The former Olympic rider and I were lounging in the sunshine outside his barn aisle, under the Hay Fever Farm banner. This little section of the show grounds had been, more or less, his world for the past six weeks, and I was trying to find out why. Shapiro might be uniquely qualified to judge a horse show. He has been around horses his entire life, and has seen the horse business from multiple angles. When he was 26, he rode a horse named Sloopy in the 1972 Olympic Games. For 30 years he worked as a trainer of Standardbred trotters and pacers on the racetrack. And now, after attempting retirement and growing bored, he re-

Olympian Hugh Graham is a regular at Hits Ocala.

64 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

turned as a trainer and instructor in the show horse world once again. Last year he was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame – an

honor that, while appreciated, he thought was reserved for people who were dead, he told me jokingly. He had brought five horses to the

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Olympian Sightings at HITS Ocala 2011 Darren Chiacchia (right)– represented the U.S. in eventing at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, received an individual Gold Medal in the 2003 Pan American Games and competed in the 2004 Olympics. Hugh Graham (left)– rode for Canada on two Olympic teams and three Pan American Games teams, as well as representing Canada on 23 Nations Cup teams, in four World Cup Finals and at the 1990 World Equestrian Games. Peter Leone (right)– represented the U.S. on numerous occasions, including in 1982 when he helped the U.S. finish fourth in the World Championships in Dublin, Ireland, and in 1996 when he helped the U.S. win a Silver Medal at the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta. FLASHPOINT PHOTO

hibitor marketing and public relations for HITS, has heard this before. “It has the benefit of being a relaxed and spacious atmosphere but at the same time offers some of the toughest competition in the sport, which is pretty unique to Ocala,” she said. She isn’t at all surprised that so many Olympic riders and others have decided to make the trip there. “We have some of the best footing in the world, and our facilities are horse-friendly, spacious, and provide all the amenities that an Olympian, or any rider for that fact, needs in order to stay sharp,” Kadlic said. “Specific to Ocala, the atmosphere at the show grounds is unlike any other in the country. The spirit and welcoming nature of horse-friendly community that surrounds the horse shows penetrates the property and makes it one of the most enjoyable circuits in the United States.” Just like Shapiro, Kadlic noted another reason that riders and trainers are attracted to HITS – it appeals to an eclectic audience. “There is truly something for everyone at our shows – from the young pony rider all the way to the most famous high-performance grand prix stars,” she said. “There’s no other AArated circuit that offers the possibility for a trainer to bring their entire barn with them to a horse show where every single level of rider will have the opportunity to compete at their level.” And, she said, junior and amateur riders love competing at a show where Olympians compete. “The Olympians who show with us in Ocala are a wonderful and talented group, and having them at the horse show really adds to the flavor of the circuit,” she said. ■

Michael Page (left)– silver and bronze medalist in eventing in the 1964 and 1968 Olympics. He coached the Canadian three-day team at the 1976 Olympics and served as Chef d’Equipe at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, the 1990 World Championships, and 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. HITS PHOTO

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Horse Shows In the Sun series, exchanging them out a few times throughout the competition, and this wasn’t his first time at HITS. It was in 2006 that he first traded Wellington for this rapidly growing competition, and he wasn’t the only Olympic rider to do so. Finally, Shapiro leveled with me. “Several factors came into play when I made the decision to attend HITS,” he said. “First was the cost, and second was the sort of riders we had. For the type of riders we had there was a lot more for them to do here.” And, he added, when he made the switch, he found that he really liked the facilities. “I like the fact that we have so much room; it’s nice for the horses,” he said, gesturing toward the nearby pastures. “There are some inconveniences, being so far out of town, but the good outweighs the bad, and the horses can live like they do at home.” Danette Kadlic, director of ex-

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Andres Rodriguez – (above right) competed for the Guatemalan Olympic Team during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

PAMELA SUSKIND PHOTO

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Neal Shapiro (right)– won a team silver and individual bronze in the 1972 Olympics. His wife, Elisa Fernandez Shapiro, was a member of the Mexican Olympic team three times, and won the individual gold and team silver in the 1971 Pan Am Games. Manuel Torres (above left) – rode for Colombia in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. Kirk Webby (right)– rode for New Zealand in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

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Connection ne of the foundational principles of dressage is “connection.” It is a fairly simple concept on first glance. For the rider and horse, however, true connection takes years to develop. An understanding of the concept is critical to advance in the sport. Connection in dressage is the function of energy between the horse and rider – rider and horse functioning harmoniously together in a controlled, supple and enthusiastic fashion encouraging forward motion. On a daily basis, you work on connection, your trainer harps on you about it, the judge at the show scores you lower because maybe your work isn’t up to standard. For months, or even years, a rider may hover around grasping the concept of true connection. Connection isn’t isolated to dressage. It is, in some way, a facet of all our lives. At the Florida Horse Park, we are continuously working to be more connected and cohesive with our community and the entire state of Florida. This spring we have some great new events taking place at the park. May 14 will be a busy day, with the Junior League of Ocala Pig Out Bar-B-Que Cook Off. The cook-off will run in conjunction with our Partners of the Park 3 Phase Schooling Show. In addition to that weekend, we have a selection of other events and organizations that are now calling the park “home” – STRIDE, Marion Saddle Club and Sunshine State Lure Coursing to name a few. Constantly, we seek a diverse selection of events to bring more people of all types to the Florida Horse Park and to the equine industry. Connection requires time, devotion and enthusiasm. It probably won’t happen the first time out, but with consistent work, it will come. When connection does happen, it is a moment in time that sticks with you as a rider. It is the beginning of great things and higher levels of achievement.

Happy Trails,

Connie Duff Wise Chairman of the Board 66 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

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Soil testing is inexpensive, saves money and ensures only needed nutrient application.

FARM MANAGEMENT

Soil Options hanks to some April showers, spring is full swing in Florida. March and April are the optimum times to fertilize your pastures to get the most out of your pasture grasses, so I hope we can give you some options that are smart for our springs and aquifer and good for your pastures and pocketbook. As always, soil testing is a No. 1 recommendaJamie Cohen tion. If you have owned your property for a bit and have regularly soil tested, then testing every two to three years is a good guideline for how often you should test. Soil test kits can be obtained, free of charge, at your local county extension office. The charge for the university to get test results typically ranges from $7 to $25. If you have not tested your soil at all, or not in several years, this is a good time to test. An annual test is recommended until a baseline of your soil’s requirements is obtained. Overall, soil testing is an inexpensive, simple way to save money and ensure that only the needed nutrients are being applied to your property.

Soil testing can verify the following: ■ What is your soil’s pH? ■ How much and what kind of lime is recommended? ■ What are the needed nutrients to add to your soil? ■ How much, if any, fertilizer is needed? Fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorous (phosphoric acid) and potash. Nitrogen recommendations are given based on the crop (or type of pasture grass) you are trying to grow. A test result gives you accurate amounts of these, and other, needed nutrients and lime recommendations, if the pH of the soil is too low. Repeated fertilization with nitrogen fertilizer tends to decrease the pH of soils and research and surveys conducted throughout south

central Florida have also shown a link between grazing intensity, declining soil pH and severity of mole cricket-induced bahiagrass decline. Once test result numbers have been attained, there are several different types of fertilizer that can be used. Most inorganic fertilizers are termed quick-release, or water soluble. Slow-release fertilizers are preferable and highly recommended because of the time-release of the nutrients, as opposed to this instantaneous release. Although the initial cost might be higher, slow-release offers “more bang for the buck.” Water-soluble, inorganic fertilizers that have been modified to allow for this controlled release of nutrients with time and the ability to release nutrients slowly, over time, is well documented. Vermiculture (worm farming) offers another type of fertilizer and has become very popular over the past few years. Worm castings are the result of “worm farming.” This is an organic, slow-release fertilizer that has been shown to have very good results as a substitute for inorganic fertilizer. Although this also has an initial cost greater than classic fertilizer, its slow release and environmentally friendly qualities also offer a great return on investment. Regardless of the type of fertilizer you decide you need, now is the best time to apply. Grass is already in the early stages of growth and by giving it only the needed amounts of nutrients (if any are required) and/or liming, money will be saved, the pastures will flourish and your horses will have the lush, green grass needed to help give them proper nutrition and adequate grazing. Contact your local extension service if you have any questions. ■ Jamie A. Cohen Farm Outreach Coordinator UF IFAS/Marion County Extension Service 352-671-8792 • jamiecohen@ufl.edu THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011 67

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Track Records Fall M

Extensive 68 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

Ritzy Blitz, won the $125,000 Jack Price Juvenile at Calder in November before heading to Tampa Bay Downs for wins in the $70,000 Inaugural Stakes in December and the $68,000 Pasco Stakes in January. Bred by Gainesville’s Roberto Sanson, Manicero has won five of his seven starts for $234,008. He entered the race off an eighthplace finish in his first graded event, the Hutcheson Stakes (G2) in February at Gulfstream Park, where he was bumped and forced to steady at the start. After that race,

field,” Villa-Gomez said. “I have so much confidence in this guy. He always does whatever I ask him. I let the speed horse get away, but I had a beat on him every step, and my guy was just going along easily. When I asked for run nearing the stretch, he just cruised up and blew past the leader, and I didn’t have to do more than ride him out.” Sneaking Uponyo, out of the Dahar mare Chestnut Game, was bred by the McLaughlin Family Limited Partnership in Wesley Chapel and is trained by Jamie Ness for Jagger Inc. He’s won seven of his 25 starts for $304,263. Sneaking Uponyou has earned all three of his stakes victories at Tampa Bay Downs, having wired the $60,500 Pelican Stakes in January 2010 and the $70,000 Turf Dash two months later. Tommy’s Memory was second in the Hilton Garden Inn Sprint after winning the 2010 edition of the race. On the Vineyard finished third after taking the 2009 edition. COOLEY PHOTOS

BY NICK FORTUNA anicero and Sneaking Uponyou set track records on Tampa Bay Downs’ main track to become the stars of the annual Florida Cup program, which featured six stakes races on April 9 for Florida-breds worth $75,000 apiece. Manicero, a son of Journeyman Stud stallion Mass Media, set a track record for seven furlongs at 1:22.13 while winning the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomore Stakes by 1 ½ lengths. Sneaking Uponyou, a Snuck In gelding, set the six-furlong mark at 1:08.69 while romping to a sevenlength score in the Hilton Garden Inn Sprint. In the OBS Sophomore Stakes, Manicero delivered as the 4-5 favorite with Paco Lopez aboard for the first time. He stalked the pacesetting Jaggermonster through a quarter-mile in 23.32 seconds and a half-mile in Manicero 46.32 before taking command at the top of the stretch and shaking clear. “He broke really well, but a couple outside of us were faster,” Lopez said. “I wanted to get him outside the leader, so I had to wait for an opening, and it was a little tight getting into the turn. Once we had a lane, he went up to the leader and I waited with him, and when I asked, he just came away like a good horse should. He was just full of himself after the race.” Manicero earned his fourth stakes victory for Leo Azpurua Jr., who trains the colt for his father. The horse, out of the Kris S. mare

he turned in three consecutive bullet workouts at Calder in preparation for the Florida Cup. Turbo Compressor was second in the OBS Sophomore Stakes, while Jaggermonster was third in the field of eight 3-year-olds. In the Hilton Garden Inn Sprint, Sneaking Uponyou and jockey Huber Villa-Gomez tracked pacesetterTommy’s Memory in second place through a quarter-mile in 22.29 seconds and a half-mile in 44.27. When asked at the top of the lane, Sneaking Uponyou easily drew away from the field of eight 4-year-olds and up. “I wasn’t surprised when we outbroke the

Sneaking Uponyou

In other stakes action at the Florida Cup: ■ Trip for A. J. came through as the heavy favorite in a field of six fillies and mares in the L and D Farm Turf Distaff, winning that 1 1/16-mile test by a length on a firm course. Trip for A. J., a 4-year-old Trippi filly and a homebred for Peter Fuller, finished in 1:44.04 with Lopez aboard for trainer Milton Wolfson. “I had a lot of horse, but the pace was very slow, and that can make for a tricky stretch run if everybody goes at once,” Lopez said.

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at Florida Cup “I asked her entering the stretch, and she responded but ducked out for a stride. But when I got her straight, she came home very strong. It felt like we really going quickly.” Trip for A. J. is a six-time stakes winner, with her biggest victory coming in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park in January. The filly, out of the Explodent mare A. J.’s Hot Shot, has won eight of her 16 starts and earned $451,145. Wild Mia was second, and Ruling Class was third. ■ My Sunshine Gal romped to a 5 ¾length victory in the Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies Stakes, defeating seven 3year-old fillies. It was a fitting victory for the daughter of Stonehedge Farm South stallion West Acre, who was bred by Stonehedge’s Gilbert Campbell at the Williston farm. My Sunshine Gal and jockey Ronnie Dale Allen Jr. finished the seven-furlong test in 1:22.75. It was her first start for trainer Derek Ryan and owner Wisteria Lane Stable. She previously ran for Campbell and trainer Kathleen O’Connell but was claimed for $25,000 after scoring by 12 ¼ lengths in a six-furlong sprint at the Oldsmar oval in March. “We got away well, but there were two horses outside of me down the backstretch, and as we got to the turn, a horse came up inside,” the rider said. “There wasn’t much room, but I decided to go, and we split horses and had position entering the stretch. She pulled away from the leader, and we were clear, and I knew it had worked out for us. Sometimes it works

My Sunshine Gal

out; sometimes it doesn’t.” My Sunshine Gal was 0-for-3 in her previous stakes tries. The filly, out of the Awesome Again mare Sunny Again, has won three of her seven starts for $104,515. The favored Devilish Lady was second, and White Merlot was third. ■ In the Dayton Andrews Dodge Sophomore Turf Stakes, Extensive rallied for a halflength victory over the favored Master Dunker. It was the stakes debut for the 3-yearold, gelded son of Purge, who was bred by

Slews Answer

Ocala’s Craig Bernick and is trained by Tom Proctor for Ocala’s Glen Hill Farm. Extensive and jockey Leandro Goncalves finished the 1 1/16-mile test in 1:43.81 to beat 10 rival 3-year-olds. The horse, out of the Theatrical mare Zambia, has finished in the money in all five of his starts, with two victories and $79,505 in earnings. “I had never ridden the colt before, but Mr. Proctor told me to just let him run his race and he would have a good finish,” Goncalves said. “We got pushed out going into the first turn, but it didn’t bother him. He just settled in a

good spot behind the lead group very relaxed, and when I asked him in the turn, he responded really well. We were challenged in the stretch, and I had to get after him, but he had more than enough to do the job.” Dan’s My Man checked in third. ■ Goncalves also scored in the Vinery Turf Classic with Slews Answer, who rallied from ninth place for a one-length victory as the favorite in a field of 10 older runners. The 4-year-old Ghostzapper colt is a homebred for Ocala’s Live Oak Plantation and is trained by Graham Motion. Slews Answer ran the distance of about 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.16 to win his stakes debut. The horse, out of the Seattle Slew mare Slews Final Answer, has two wins from three starts $85,805. “I was hoping he could handle this group, but with a young horse, you never know how they will react,” Goncalves said. “He settled well early, and it felt like I had a lot of horse, so I eased him to the outside down the backstretch and waited on the leaders to come back. We made our run getting into the stretch, and even though we were widest, he got bumped by a horse inside us. It didn’t seem to bother him, and he just settled into stride again and came home like a nice horse should.” Blazen finished second, and Vanquisher was third. ■

Trip for A.J. THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011 69

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FLORIDA NEWS

Heavily favored Uncle Mo finishes third

COGLIANESE PHOTO

Toby’s Corner Pulls Off Shocker

Florida-bred Toby’s Corner winning the Wood over Arthur’s Tale and Uncle Mo (on rail).

ith a gallant charge down the center of the track, Toby’s Corner fired a shot heard around the racing world at Aqueduct on April 9, winning the $1 million Wood Memorial (G1) by a neck over Arthur’s Tale and handing Uncle Mo, the early favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1), the first loss of his career. Toby’s Corner, a Bellamy Road colt and a homebred for Alachua’s Dianne D. Cotter, earned his first graded stakes victory and punched his ticket for the May 7 Derby at Churchill Downs. “We’re going as long as he’s doing fine,” said Graham Motion, who trains Toby’s Corner for Cotter, who also bred Bellamy Road. “It looks like the mile and a quarter won’t be a problem. It’s obviously a very wide-open group, and I kind of think he ranks up there with the top ones.” Motion put blinkers on Toby’s Corner for

70 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

the Wood to try to keep him focused, and the equipment change paid big dividends. With usual rider Eddie Castro aboard, Toby’s Corner saved ground and ran toward the back of the pack early as Uncle Mo took the field of nine 3-year-olds through a quarter-mile in 23.49 seconds and a half-mile in 47.98. Uncle Mo reached the top of the lane with a 1 ½-length lead and seemed ready to pull away from the field, but Arthur’s Tale and Toby’s Corner quickly moved up to challenge him. Arthur’s Tale, who had run in

NYRA PHOTO

BY NICK FORTUNA

Julian and Dianne Cotter and Graham Motion

fifth place early under Ramon Dominguez, launched his bid on the far outside and soon overtook a tiring Uncle Mo, who failed to respond when whipped by John Velazquez. Meanwhile, Toby’s Corner, finally found running room after angling out sharply at the top of the stretch and stormed down the center of the track, getting up just in time and stopping the clock for 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.93. “Oh, I’m surprised,” said Motion. “I think (the blinkers) were big. It’s the first time he’s really run straight like that. I should have done it a long time ago. I was worried it was going to make him keen, and he was actually more relaxed with them on. I’ve never had a horse respond like that to them.” Uncle Mo, trained by Todd Pletcher for Repole Stable, earned Grade 1 victories last year in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill Downs and the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park and won an Eclipse Award as last year’s top juvenile male. He

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in Wood Memorial made his 2011 debut at Gulfstream Park in March, winning the $78,000 Timely Writer Stakes by 3 ¾ lengths. His first loss in his fifth career start muddied the picture for the Kentucky Derby. “I can’t say I’m shocked, but I’m disappointed,” said Pletcher. “I was a little concerned turning for home at the three-sixteenths pole when he didn’t really kick clear. I thought then that we were going to be in for a fight.You could see the last 5060 yards he was tired.” “He came a little flat down the lane,” said Velazquez. “Hopefully, we can get him back together and get him back to the Derby.”

Toby’s Corner, out of the Mister Frisky mare Brandon’s Ride, has won four of his six starts for $722,240. He capped a three-race winning streak in his stakes debut, the $98,000 Whirlaway Stakes in February, prevailing by two lengths while going 1 1/16 miles on Aqueduct’s muddy inner dirt track. He then finished third behind Uncle Mo’s stablemate, Stay Thirsty, in the Gotham Stakes (G3) on the same track in March.

It’s Never to Late Wins Sunshine State

COGLIANESE PHOTO

At age 6, It’s Never to Late proved that it is indeed never too late to get your first stakes win, taking the $60,000 Sunshine State Stakes by a nose over Coffee Boy at Gulfstream Park on April 9. The sevenfurlong test featured a field of six Florida-breds. It’s Never to Late, a gelded son of Repent bred by Marty and Carol Hershe at Turtle Pond Farm in Williston, had run in only one stakes race heading into the race, finishing last in the $52,000 Bonasera Stakes at Hawthorne in 2009. But he entered the Sunshine State Stakes 2-for-2 this year, having won a $40,000 claimer in Jan-

Florida-bred It’s Never to Late

uary and a $20,000 optional claimer in February, both at Gulfstream. In the Sunshine State, It’s Never to Late stalked pacesetter Our Edge in second place on the outside through a quarter-mile in 22.60 seconds and a half-mile in 45.10. With Jose Arce aboard him for the first time, It’s Never to Late battled the leader for the length of the stretch and had just enough left to hold off Coffee Boy, who had chased the pace threewide in third place throughout. The final time was 1:21.85. “The race set up the way I thought it would,” Arce said. “The horse who I thought was going to be on the lead was, and I was able to sit right off of him. He just wouldn’t let the other horses go by him. He has such a big heart.” It’s Never to Late, out of the Jose Binn mare Binndiana, has won 12 of his 33 starts for $303,735. He’s trained by Julio Cartagena for Brooklyn Stable. “Julio told me I should bring a jacket,” said Ed Moore of Brooklyn Stable. “(It’s Never to Late) obviously likes this track.”

Portside Prevails In Star Shoot With a determined rally from the back of the pack, Florida-bred Portside earned her first stakes victory April 9 at Woodbine, getting up in the final strides to beat Nina Fever by a neck in the $156,690 Star Shoot Stakes. Portside, a daughter of Congrats bred by Ocala’s Montgomery Farm, had placed in both of her previous stakes tries, Florida-bred Portside both at Aqueduct. She finished third behind It’s Tricky in the $63,000 Busher Stakes in February and was second in the $57,000 Out Ruled Stakes in March, losing by a neck to Florida-bred R Holiday Mood. Portside broke in the air and was last in the field of six 3-year-old fillies as the favored Nina Fever carved out fractions of 22.44 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.96 for a half-mile. With EmmaJayne Wilson aboard her for the first time, Portside made a five-wide move while leaving the turn of the six-furlong sprint and launched her winning bid, gradually reeling in the leader and stopping the clock in 1:10.09. Portside made her first six starts for trainer Gary Contessa at Aqueduct but was running for Barbara Minshall in the Star Shoot. The filly, out of the Time to Explode mare Port Isabel, has won two of her seven starts for $149,744. She was an $87,000 purchase at OBS in March 2010. Owned by Warren E. Byrne, Portside earned her other victory in her fourth career start in January, taking a $42,000 maiden special weight race by 1 ¼ lengths on Aqueduct’s inner dirt track. The Star Shoot Stakes was her first race on a synthetic surface. BURNS PHOTO

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Korean Ambassador Visits Ocala/Marion County

By MICHAEL COMPTON

The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, in partnership with Ocala

72 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

PHOTOS BY ELEANOR HANCOCK

Breeders’ Sales Company, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce, Ocala/Marion County Economic Development Council, and the College of Central Florida, hosted a visit March 29 for the Republic of Korea Ambassador to the United States Han Duk-soo. The Korean delegation visited the offices of the FTBOA and the sales facility at OBS before traveling to Tallahassee later in the day for meetings with Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Florida Governor Rick Scott. “We’re blessed with Korea’s interest in our horses here in Florida,” said Richard Hancock, executive vice president of the FTBOA.“Their involvement is particularly rewarding during these tough economic times. The bottom line in this business is that the horses they acquire here have to continue winning in South Korea for the buyers to keep coming back. I want to thank Tom Ventura, who traveled with us to Korea on our inaugural trade mission in 2003 and everyone at OBS for all their efforts.” Buyers from South Korea have proved especially important to the success of OBS auctions in recent years. Their 2010 spending at OBS was nearly $2.6 million on 137 head. “FTBOA’s trade missions have certainly been successful in attracting buyers to our area and our sales,” said Ventura, general manager and director of sales at OBS. “And the buyers from Korea have been very important to our two-year-old sales.” Other members of the delegation included Jongho Kyun, secretary, Korean Embassy; Kyung Kyu Kim, Korean agriculture attaché, Korean Embassy; Chul Chung, chief economist, KITA; Leslie Schweitzer, senior trade adviser, U.S. Chamber; Stefanie Westerman, director for international policy, U.S. Chamber; Taylor Sholler, programs coordinator, U.S. Chamber and Dana Gray, government relations, IBM.

1. Han Duk-soo 2. Ocala Mayor Randy Ewers presented Han Duk-soo with a key to the city. 3. Richard Hancock with the ambassador 4. and 5. J. Michael O'Farrell Jr. and Tom Ventura of OBS

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PLAYER’S PAGE

In Search of

Reform

by Paul Moran

If you follow horse racing, you’ve probably heard of the names Well Armed, Curlin, Invasor, Roses in May, Pleasantly Perfect, Captain Steve, Silver Charm and Cigar. Eight of the last sixteen winners of the Dubai Cup were from North America and ran drug free. It can be done.

lmost every reform movement begins with straightforward, sensible rhetoric but many if not most are left at that point to languish in soured good intentions wanting for more meaningful, broad support that never materializes. There is general agreement – particularly within the realm of public opinion—that racing’s medication rules have over the decades since state-level regulators first began loosening restrictions on administration of therapeutic substances have become too permissive and too deeply engrained in the sport’s culture. The public perception of medication in racing is at best skeptical, at worst suspicious and in all too many cases this perception is not inaccurate and supported by violations involving some of the sport’s most wellknown, high-profile individuals. Critics of permissive medication abound. So do supporters. The debate has resulted in stalemate entrenched by the sport’s almost embarrassing lack of a central authority and disparity of medication rules at the state level. Resigned acceptance of this mess even by critics prevails. Every attempt to establish a national authority has failed to provide teeth. Parochial authority is forever doggedly defended and never arrives at consensus. In some three decades since the first bans of race day medication were eased, the use of a wide variety of substances and abuse by some has become in the public eye business as usual. The ubiquity of Lasix, by itself, is a grotesque embarrassment and an affront to the public, which somehow realizes that almost every American racehorse cannot possibly be a bleeder. Like any of racing’s organizations with a national scope, Racing Commissioners International has no more than an advisory role. At a March meeting in New Orleans, however, it issued a statement of support for an industry-wide ban on race-day medication. In a statement issued by both the outgoing and incoming chairmen, RCI challenged the racing industry and member regulators to embrace a strategy to phase out drugs and medication over a period of five years. Outgoing RCI Chair, Dan Hartman of the Colorado Racing Commission, said that “a five-year phase out is

74 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2011

reasonable to bring North American racing policies in line with what is going on in other parts of the world like Europe and Hong Kong.” Hartman said that a phased approach would give horsemen and owners sufficient time to adjust to the change. Until now, RCI’s medication policies were based largely on recommendations from the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium. A shift to zero tolerance is a radical and not unimportant departure from that stance and the first such recommendation made by any racing organization. “We regulators are the only voice in racing for the animals and betting public,” Hartman said. “It’s time we raise the bar in service to both.” RCI’s new Chair, William Koester, Chairman of the Ohio State Racing Commission, said: “Today, over 99 percent of Thoroughbred racehorses and 70 percent of Standardbred racehorses have a needle stuck in them four hours before a race. That just does not pass the smell test with the public or anyone else except horse trainers who think it necessary to win a race. I’m sure the decision makers at the time meant well when these drugs were permitted, however this decision has forced our jurisdictions to juggle threshold levels as horseman become more desperate to win races and has given horse racing a black eye.” Koester said, perhaps too optimistically, that “change is inevitable” and called for the association “to take the moral high ground and implement drug rules that mirror the racing in Australia, Dubai, Europe, Hong Kong, and even Russia.” “If you follow horse racing, you’ve probably heard of the names Well Armed, Curlin, Invasor, Roses in May, Pleasantly Perfect, Captain Steve, Silver Charm and Cigar. Eight of the last 16 winners of the Dubai World Cup were from North America and ran drug free. It can be done.” The RCI position on the rollback of medication to the point at which the industry revisits the days of hay, oats and water is not only reasonable, it is entirely correct. But there is no reason to believe that the sport’s leaders will gather in support of important and far-reaching reform. Tilting at windmills is thankless. Surrender to the status quo, no matter how erosive, is the path of least resistance. ■

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